Sunday, May 31, 2009
Cleaning the Past
It can be sad to think about how much time has passed, however, I guess I also get to think about how much I have done within the time that I have had. I guess you don't really think about enjoying life as much as you can until it's too late.
Well I guess if I want to live my life with no regrets, I have to step out on a limb and make sure that I try my best to let nothing pass me by. Sometimes I can be a pushover, slacker or just timid, allowing things and opportunities pass me by and as my mid-year resolution, I'll do my best to make sure that is not the case.
As good as things are, I know great, grand and gradiose await me. Have you let things better than just mediocre pass you by? Then join me on my quest to really explore what more lies out there, somewhere out there ...
So as I clean out the old and bring in the new, I guess it's a good time to throw out the old me, or at least the parts of me I don't like as much, and bring in a new, repolished me, in hopes that it will help me find what is grandiose!
somewhere, out there
beneath the clear moonlight
lies an opportunity
that is for me, just right
somewhere, out there
i know i'll find what's true
someone's looking for me
and that someone could be you
somewhere, out there
i'll let no chance pass me by
because I want to live with no regrets
until the day I die ...
jason
5/31/09, 11:44pm
Friday, May 29, 2009
A Week to Remember ...
I was able to roll into Tuesday after Monday's holiday and successfully maneuver through the day, practice, and the Mayoral Proclamation and BJs after dinner to finally close out the National's process.
I am so blessed to have been able to work with this group of junior MUNers. I might as well mention every junior MUN group I have had. They have done such a great job and this night reminded me of just how awesome of a group these MUNers are. They put so much time and effort into this program and I am glad to see that they continue to find success, even amongst the greatest amount of obstacles.
On Wednesday, the day was FULL of great greetings, meetings and events. I had such a great and full birthday and I do not remember a time where I was wished a happy birthday SO many times! I was able to escape to Disneyland for a few hours, mainly to get my $69 dollars, however, while at Disneyland, I stopped at California Adventure and rode on Tower of Terror, California Screaming and made a stop at the La Brea Bakery and Jamba Juice :) ... I returned to Cerritos to attend the Premios de Oro ceremony, which I just love since I get to honor students who really go above and beyond in the classroom. It was the hardest decision I made for the medallion, as I had all very qualified students from those with over 100% to those who have made their way from low grades to the top in the class.
Afterwards, we headed to TGI Fridays to just relax and enjoy the night and then I got to talk to the most incredible person I know for awhile, just about random things, yet it made me realize how great the return will be.
In any case, Thursday, allowed me to catch my breathe a bit, as it was the easiest day of the week and now I prepare to head to our prom site for next year to see the site "in action." Today's showcase assembly was so amazing and goes to show how amazing the students at our school are! The picture is of my freshman MUN student Paul Lee.
It has been a glorious week and I am glad that it has been as great as it has been.
Thanks to all of those who provided your birthday wishes, as it made this birthday one for the record books!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
A Wonderful Weekend
Very, very precious :)
JD & Family at our outdoor Bar :)
Dinner with the Kungs :)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pressure Relief ~ A Blessing
As I deliberated whether or not to go to school, I finally figured it would be easier for me to go to school rather than try and get things together for a sub.
After sitting in my room miserable this morning, I figured I would not be working tomorrow, however, after two very well-behaved classes and a hoard of medicine, my headache went away and I realized, my prayers must have been answered, because despite my normal cold, my intense headache had disappated and I felt refreshed.
In any case, now I sit hoping that tomorrow when I wake up, I feel much better.
We'll have to just see about that.
I guess it also helped that the Nuggets won tonight :) Just FYI, it was not the referees that lost the game for the Lakers this evening :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Lucky
Original by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iraoHE6JlY
Walk right with me
I will guide you
Across the country
Across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Sometimes I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper straight to me
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard
I'm lucky that I have you as my friend
Lucky to have connected with you again
Lucky that you're coming home again
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
They don't know how I missed you
And how it hurt me so
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had just one more day
I'll be here for you I promise you, I will
I'm lucky that I have you as my friend
Lucky to have connected with you again
Lucky that you're coming home again
Lucky we're alike in many ways
Lucky to have walked straight in your way
Lucky to talk to you each day
And so I'm walking through the street
To the corner where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll pick a flower for your hair
A simple pleasure, we can share
Move so pretty, you set me free
As the world keeps spinning round
You make me feel so whole right now
I'm lucky that I have you as my friend
Lucky to have connected with you again
Lucky that you're coming home again
Lucky we're alike in many ways
Lucky to have walked straight in your way
Lucky to talk to you each day
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Jason
5/19/09, 7:01am
Seniors ...
On my way back to my room, I ran into Ricardo, our wonderful custodian! He said he doesn't smile in pictures, but I got him to smile! :D Looks very natural too!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Relay for a Life Changed
Relay for Life is always a great opportunity as we honor those who have lost their struggle against cancer and those who continue to fight. Each year, the relay provides me with motivation to try and push my limits as my ability to deal with the fatigue and pain of running my laps equals at least a portion of the fatigue and pain that cancer patients must endure on a daily basis.
This year, I ran 40 laps ~ 10 miles.
This event allows me to honor the memory of my late MUN advisor Richard Neville as well. Without Mr. Neville, I do not know if I would have done MUN in college and thus, if I would have been a teacher at this point. Each time I go to a conference, teach the MUN class, or do anything related to MUN, I think of him and try to ask myself, what would Richard Neville do. Of course, as a freshman, I was fearful of him, however, when I got to know him, I began to realize, just how much he cared even if he didn't show it. Later on in his career as he neared the end of his life, he began to show how much he cared much more and it was such an inspiration to see him fighting and with us until his last days. I do regret that I did not see him before his passing, however, I do hold the picture I have with him close to my heart as it reminds me of what I hope to accomplish as a teacher. I also think that is why I continue to strive to push students to do their best in MUN, because I want to make sure that the program continues to model the type of program Mr. Neville would have liked.
I still remember when he came into our class and said, "I went to the City of Hope and they told me that I had no hope." It was one of the saddest moments I could remember in my high school career, yet, I think at that moment, my path to where I currently am at was created.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
One Crazy Adventure
After our CIF Dinner at Olive Garden, I headed over to LAX to catch my flight to O'hare. It felt quite strange to only be bringing such a small amount of luggage and also to be dressed in my suit already, however, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Once on the plan I knocked out, ignoring my temporary partner in crime that had joined me in the seat next to me. Upon arrival, I grabbed what little luggage I had and headed off to the Blue Line to Belmont. When I arrived, I googlemapped Johnny's address and it said the walk would be about an hour. It was still only a little after six, so I decided to start walking. After walking through a few areas that may not have been the best, I took the Belmont bus down for a mile until I got near my final destination, finally arriving at Johnny's. The street was a pretty nice street lined with a different type of housing look set next to the brown line that connects to Chicago's famous "Loop."
Jenn let me into the place and I decided to sleep on a chair since I did not want to freak out Johnny when he woke up by sleeping on the second couch across from where he was. Unfortunately, when Johnny's roommate woke up, I think I scared him, as he walked over to Johnny to ask him who I was :) ... I was awake at the time, but just pretended to sleep to make things less awkward.
We took a taxi over to the graduation ceremony and it was quite a nice graduation. The Northwestern Law students wore their purple gowns and showed such enthusiasm throughout the ceremony! Afterwards, it tooks us awhile, but we finally found Shannon and it was so exciting to see her! I've know her since her freshman year in high school and in a blink of an eye, she is graduating from Law School!
After giving her the lei, her hugs, and taking a load of photographs, we headed in the line for the taxi, which was extremely long! We waiting for a bit and Shannon actually drove back before we got to the front of the line. Thus, instead of going to the reception, Johnny and I had to get dropped off at the blue line. It would have been nice to spend a bit more time with Shannon before I left, but I guess, she'll be back to Cerritos soon!
On the way back, Johnny and I got to talk as we killed time on the ride home. When finally arriving at the airport, we realized we had to jet to our gates, barely making the flight, as it boarded right when I arrived at the gate! Pweh!
On my way home, I made a quick stop to wish a happy birthday to a friend and then headed home to enjoy a nice meal from Del Taco, unhealthy, but great because it was my second meal in 30 hours :)
Exhausting? Yes. Worth it? Definitely!
Shannon, congratulations! I wrote almost everything I wanted to say in the letter, however, I know there will be more that I realize that I forgot to write. I am so proud of you!
Gallery: http://wutanabe5.smugmug.com/gallery/8224199_m7H7J
(I had my settings set to the wrong settings so the pictures did not come out as well as I hoped. Sorry!)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Shared Path Ahead
I would hope that people could do such a thing, however, I am reminded each day of how people do not respect the feelings of others and keep them in consideration when they take action.
At the movies the other day, a couple was talking for at least an hour of a movie I was watching. Quite annoying! Then, as usual, a car pulls out of their stall despite the fact that you are half way out of your own stall already. There are so many examples of when people are so inconsiderate and fail to think of others. However, what about all those who have shared this path?
I get so frustrated at those who fail to share the path, that I miss my opportunities to thank those who have take the opportunity to share the road on which we travel. They've taken me and everyone else into consideration and allowed this experience to be shared. It's incredible and I want to thank each person who has sacrificed in order to allow others to have a similar experience as they have had.
Let's all make the extra effort and share our own paths, so that we may influence those around you to do the same.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Social Darwinism
I don't understand how I scheduled so many things together, but I am relieved to be sitting here right now done with that week. Although my week ahead is pretty loaded as well, it will not compare to how busy this week was.
Since the scavenger hunt, we had our league finals where our teams collected a good load of medals and placed no lower than third in an unofficial running score. Two athletes advanced to CIF from the distances, Jessica Sunio and Thien-Nam To. Most others did what they could to try and qualify and I commend them on their efforts. We also had a good number of medalists this year, which also means I'll be broke after our distance champions dinner.
Kathia Avila - GFS 1600 (2nd)
Rachel Flores - GFS 3200 (1st)
Douglas Kim - BFS 800, 4x400 (2nd, 1st)
Audrey Lee - GFS 800, 1600, 3200, 4x400 (3rd)
Athalia Magana - GFS 1600, 3200 (1st, 2nd)
Jessica Sunio - GV 800, 1600 (2nd, 3rd)
Thien-Nam To - BV 800, 3200 (2nd, 3rd)
This weekend we had our UCI MUN Conference. It was sad to see how many problems there were during the conference and the lack of professionalism at some points which I stressed while running the conference. However, a lot of committees did run pretty well, mainly those who I was familiar with because I know they know what is expected of them. [It was nice to see some of the older faces.] Our school did fairly well in awards, however, the team was able to win the delegation award due to their excellent research, a point not emphasized as much in MUN in delegation points, which is a flaw of the system. In any case, we won the large school delegation and also won three gavels - Alwin Firmansyah, Wendy Tang and Rachelle Wong!
Today was mother's day. In order to celebrate after coming home, we went to my cousins house for a dinner and then after, went to the movies (I'll talk about that experience tomorrow). It was quite fun. In any case, I want to take this time to thank all the wonderful mothers out in the world, as you truly are the reason that human kind keeps surviving. Mother's are the caring creatures that nuture the future generations and assure that we do not lead ourselves into complete and utter destruction. They are the heart and soul their children and are the individual who give up so much to ensure that their children grow up with all that they need. To my mother and yours, we salute you!
By the way, my shirts says, "Touch My Monkey."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Search for Our Storybook Ending
Tonight was the Disneyland Scavenger Hunt and despite the fact that I have to wake up in 3.5 hours to a LONG day tomorrow, it was definitely worth the time we spent.
I am super sore from the experience though!
First, we checked in and got our wristbands and packets. Over dinner, my breadbowl chilli, fries and strawberry/wildberry smoothie, we tried to figure out the first clue, with no avail.
After doing so-so on the trivia questions we began the exhaustive search through the park, power walking for two hours through the park. We actually did well on the clues and I think we nailed at least the first six that we did and probably one more after that. On three we either guessed or ran out of time. During the entire scavenger hunt, you are tied together, thus, it makes it even hard because I was getting pulled through the park the entire night.
In any case, we did pretty well and ended up having a great time although I did fall asleep on the ride back. A perfect end to our storybook scavenger hunt :) Although we did not have a Cinderalla ending and come from behind as the underdogs, we still did better than we hoped, which is all I ask.
Now it's time to continued to search for my storybook ending ... tomorrow, league finals at La Mirada :)