A Blog By Any Other Name ...

Should a blog that has not been blogged in be called a blog?

As I have strayed away from my blog as the months and days have weighed heavily on my shoulders, I return in excitement to write. I have not been here in exactly one month and twelve days, of which I have found myself hustling from one point to another whether it be to Disneyland, UCLA, Medieval Times, a range of food places, and much much more.

However, what I have I learned over the past month? I guess it was not learning, but a reminder that we need to enjoy live and not put things off until it's too late. We need to seize the day, avoid being hesitant, accept all opportunities that you feel are worthwhile, and treat people as if it were your last day on earth.

I recently heard Bill Simon speak at UCLA and made three main points in a speech he made. Think Big. Now's the Time. Character Counts. I think I'll give it a try.

Absence

It's been quite the long absence from this site and since my last post I've been a traveling from Sacramento and San Francisco, to San Diego, Mammoth, and Hawaii. I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon, hosted the Great Cow Run, and already made it halfway through the cross country season. I was outside in a record 113 degree weather, then within a week was in wet conditions, and will soon be back in hot conditions wishing there was an a/c, a heater, and soon an a/c in my house.

I've gone from a clean room to a messy one, a messy car to a decently clean one, from longer hair to my latest haircut and found just enough time to make a few new friends :)

I almost found my way out of debt, only to rack up more cross country/mun bills that I must wait to get reimbursed, got my first paycheck with my raise, exchanged my phone for a fabulous one, and finally had time to relax to catch the Amazing Race. I helped organize an MUN conference, printed over 700 placards and credentials, met my new 110 students and 155 runners and had over 50 PRs in a single week.

I guess a lot has gone on since my last post and I can bore you with more factoids about my life, however, simply put, so much has gone on and now I am back, hopefully for good. My poems? Coming back soon and HOPEFULLY, I will finally get my book printed before the new year!

Hope everyone is well. I'll be writing soon!

Summer :)

Welcome cross country season. I have been away getting everything together for this year's cross country season. As usual, I'm running around with my head cut off getting everything organized, falling asleep in the middle of the day getting used to my routine, then wasting the day away as if I had nothing to do. Last summer was hard with homework and it's been a joy to at least have some time to catch up on the things that I have wanted to do. Photoshop has been my friend as of late and unlike most years, I have been able to edit and post pictures fairly quickly, which should make my life down the line a lot easier, I hope! I still have a lot to do with Mammoth and Hawaii coming up, however, it's a joy to have summer finally here to enjoy! Seven weeks will go by fast, but I'll be sure to enjoy every minute of those seven weeks! The beaches have been wonderful, the events spectacular, and the training, it's coming along :) We'll see how it ends up :D

Coming up in the next 12 months ...
Sacramento
San Francisco
Mammoth
Honolulu
Las Vegas
Alabama?
San Diego
Orlando
Washington DC
New York
Europe or Japan?
San Diego
Myrtle Beach?

Easy

If it was easy, I'd be walking with you hand in hand down the beach as the sun set over the horizon as we paced towards our blanket where our dinner on the beach awaited. No appointments, no deadlines, just you, me, and the serenity of our environment. The gentle breeze would cool us from the warm summers air as it causes your hair to sway in the wind.

If it was easy, I'd be able to tell you how amazing you are and how incredible you make me feel. How each word that you say leaves a footprint on my heart and latches onto my soul. How your laugh makes my knees week and how the anticipation of a day of when we will see each other next brings butterflies in my stomach. If it was easy, I could tell you this.

While many may say it is easy, they do not see the chains and shackles that bind me, the obstacles I must overcome, and the history that leads most to believe that it is not meant to be. It's not easy, for me anyway. The scars that are left have shown that I have been broken, beaten, and taken advantage of, leaving me vulnerable. Allowing vulnerability once more is difficult, which is why I turn to you to make it easier by restoring my confidence that this road will be easy, helping me to unlock these binds.

My opportunity awaits me, like a ripened tomato awaits on the vine waiting to be picked, however, that tomato will one day no longer exist on that vine if the wait becomes too long. While I see that the opportunity has presented itself, I must first find the sign that leads me to the key that will free me from the binds. Until then, I must wait to release this dream of mine into a world of reality.

Unconditional

You often discover that loving unconditionally is the most difficult thing to do and sometimes the most difficult to find. Often times your wants and needs outweigh (at least it seems at the time) the value of a shared relationship, only to realize that it was not worth it. I've often caught myself arguing over things that have little or no value versus the precious relationship established with another individual whether it be a family member, friend, or significant other.

Loving unconditionally is the only way you can truly show someone that you care for them despite their faults, despite the problems you may face, and despite all the obstacles that may come your way. No one on this planet is perfect, so we must be able to continue to love despite the faults that exist.

So how do you find the way to unconditional love? Who knows, but when you are able to do so, you'll find that there is a good chance that your undying enthusiasm for life will also be found, as when you love unconditionally, the world becomes a great place, for you and for me and the entire human race (Michael Jackson).

It is better to love and lost than to never have loved before! (Alfred Lloyd Tennyson)

Summer

It's officially the first weekday of summer. It feels so weird to not have work tomorrow. In fact, there isn't anything tomorrow, so I will be joining my cousins at Disneyland for the WHOLE day! Yahoo!!

As I enjoy the summer, I reflect on the many things that I will miss from this year. Writing papers, online quizzes, the 441-page portfolio, YEAH RIGHT!!!!

FREEEEEEDOOOMMM!!

Here's to a great summer :)

last breath

if this was my last breath
i'd be sure to speak your name
as my life without you in it
would not have been the same

you've showed me things in my life
that became apart of me
each memory builds to our collection
that kept me so happy

our friendship was so simple
two friends who shared this bond
that will live on until eternity
even after either one of us is gone

from jokes we told to each other
the surprises and the scares
there never was a moment
i doubted that with you time i'd love to share

so i just sit here lying
that if tonight i had my one last breath
i'd die such a lucky man
if our friendship was the only thing i had left

as all the materialistic things
will come and they will go
yet few have the opportunity to discover
a friendship like ours, that few others will ever know

you are so incredible and amazing
and i swear to it until my death
as i hope that the greatest friends will continue to be
until my last breath

jason

words

words

at a loss for words
no longer around
as when you walked in
they fell to the ground

so calm and collected
on a usual day
but all that changes
when you walk my way

my knees get weak
i get sweat in my palms
no matter what i do
my nerves will not calm

the sentences i construct
no longer as one
as my heart begins racing
true love has begun

i wish i had the words
to express how i feel
that i'm fairly confident
that this is the real deal

that all of my problems
simply disappear
when you walk in a room
and suddenly appear

yet i have not expressed
a word in this regard
as i do not know
if i'm holding the highest card

whether or not
you feel the same
as i hope my odds are good
in this complicated game

so i pick up the pieces
hoping that one day i can say
that you're my exclamation
of my sentence every day

jason
7:10am, 6/10/10

we

we

for years i've wondered
if you and me
were better off
as simply we

if our separate paths
should combine
to share what's yours
and what was mine

as we are similar
share so many things
and to each other
joy we bring

with a good time waiting
each time we meet
in victory
as well as defeat

my pepper shaker
if I were salt
together we'd produce
such fine results

so consider this
for all these years
our friendship
never disappeared

it grew ever strong
over time
a simple observation
of mine

so take a second
be prepared
as our union possible
a lifetime to be share

as it will yield
a true love's bliss
they're won't be a day
much better than this

jason
12:54pm, 6/10/10

solution

i've wandered in this place
searching far and wide
yet it did not assist me
the solutions it did not provide

the loss of faith was approaching
i thought this place had nothing left for me
yet you walked into my life
opening up my eyes to see

you showed me that the answers
are deep within the soul
that all of this vast universe
was under our control

that it's not about who's watching
but who is standing by your side
you showed me just what happens
when two universes collide

you reintroduced me to enjoyment
how it feels to really have a ball
and when you are with me
i feel like i have it all

i cannot even begin to explain
how i feel so deep inside
yet i know that when you're around
you make me feel like i can fly

you make all the impossibles
become possible in a click
you have the cure to my ailments
when i am feeling so very sick

you've stood by me and celebrated
and mourned with me as well
you're the perfect complement for me
as over time, it was easy for me to tell

so i thank you for allowing me to soar
to see things from new heights
to help me take a step back from the chaos
to allow me to make things right

to guide me in the darkness
as you were the flame to guide me through
as i was able to find my solution
my solution to my life was you

jason
12:01pm, 6/6/10

Along the Way

along the way

sometimes you go in
not expecting a thing
when spectacular happens
making your heart sing

as you take a journey
you didn't necessarily plan
only to run into
your one woman or man

sometimes you pass them
only to find them once more
while there are others
that will show up right at your door

yet no matter the case
know that each person you meet
has something so special
a hidden message, a treat

whether it be something humorous
or something to challenge you so
or the extra push that you need
to help you to continue to go

you'll find that in each journey
you'll meet people along the way
forever in your lives
they were destined to stay

so keep your head up
be aware of what's around
as you have to be ready
for the treasures waiting to be found

so head off into the sunset
tomorrow's a new day
be ready for all the amazing people
that you'll meet along the way

You Sunk My Battleship

I went into the Vegas weekend unsure if I should be going as I needed a few days to rest and catch up on some work that needed to be completed, yet I left confident that it was well worth the long nights I would have to put in this week.

Andrew is quoted as saying that this trip would give the Hangover a run for it's money. It just might. In fact, I may use my editing skills to make a movie in this epic trip ... the ups, the downs, and the plain right UGLY/DISGUSTING, yet strangely exhilarating and hilarious!

From the wandering through Encore avoiding all the security guards who probably were annoyed by our group that grew from 20 to 50 pretty quickly, the casualty that was known as a canon digital elph, the remains of Ty that I happened to walk through ... to the sighting of Paris Hilton, only by Dexter :P ... to the great memories of dancing until the last note of the final song ... no one else could hang, the spa dance, the party bus, the buffets, Kat (enough said), playing battleship/craps/blackjack w/Dan/roulette and a combination of the first two at the M, McDonalds after XS for breakfast, and who can forget the EPIC upside-down slide down the pole by Andrew himself who awed even the bouncer who must have seen hundred of strange things, yet nothing like that! ... it ended up being a trip to remember. I would say though that it would not be possible without the company of some friends and strangers who became friends so quickly!

I appreciate that we were befriended so quickly and I hope that this is not the end of the road of our wonderful memories together. While 50 is not the number I left connected two, it's always quality connections rather than quantity! Let's make sure they stay quality!

Thanks to our organizers of the trip and supplies (Andrew), the clubs (Kat), the bus (Ty), to the drivers, the instigators, the party animals, the chill ones, the battleship crew, the great dance partners who did not run away from my hyperactive dancing style and of course to the one who save my life from a 7' monster :P ... there will be so many moments that will become classic memories and maybe a few that will make page 45 of my book :) Keep an eye out for that, however, until then I say, it's time to head back into reality and get some work done!

Farewell Memorial Weekend 2010, yet hello to all the products of it! While we may have sunk each others' battleships, there is no way anyone can sink what we gained from this trip :)

P90X - Day 2

Although I did the first day workout - Back/Chest (1/2) and the Ab Ripper X, it was my second day of work. The Ab Ripper X really worked my core and my lower back. After a fatiguing workout in Ab Ripper X, I did about half of the Back/Chest Modified workout.

I think if I keep going and doing most of the workouts, I'll be able to get myself in good shape by the summer/Hawaii :) Hooraaaaaayyy!

P90X - Day 1

I got my package in the mail. What a day to get a present :)

I assembled my bar (will hoist it in my doorway tomorrow because it was too late to screw it in).

I completed my first workout, the UML, however, I don't believe that was suppose to be the workout. Talk about 40 minutes of torture ... guess CXC will be pretty tough this summer :)

Yay! I already feel like I worked out. Go me!!

It's Official

My degree was posted today and I am officially a master debater :) ... aka an MUN teacher with a masters :) .... I graduated with a 3.96 GPA and 907/900 in my final class in sport psychology! Thank you to everyone for supporting me along the way!! :) Now it's time to celebrate! GO SUNS!!! 2-2! YAHOO!!

Nervous? Busy? Relaxed? Excited?

I'm a mixed ball of emotions as I think of what I missed, what I'm missing, and what I refuse to miss. There are many things on tap for this week, yet, it's a relatively like week for me. Although I want to finish editing this week, I still have about three days after the weekend to finish, thus, I feel as if I am in pretty good shape. I am beginning to lay out plans for a few things and hopefully they will pan out as planned, however, if they don't ... well let's not think about that. I'm hoping that everything will fall into place for what I am working on, what I am hoping for, and what I am planning. If all goes well, I will be a happy camper this summer ...

The Key

i searched and searched for the key
checking all around
in my pockets and my bag
yet the right key could not be found

while keys that looked so similar
may have passed as the one
i realized at that moment
that my search had just begun

maybe the perfect key
was underneath my nose all along
in my possession for so many days
yet i had simply assumed that it was wrong

as i searched through all i had
and all that i had come across
i almost gave up my search this day
as i felt like i was at a loss

yet i kept up on my journey
as i hoped i could find my key
i'll keep on this adventure
until i find the key that was meant for me

one day that key will be discovered
the one that is the perfect fit
opening a new door of opportunities
and a new life that comes with it

so as we each search for our key
let's not feel all hope is gone
as if you keep on searching
you'll be sure to fine that one

to unlock all the magic and joy
that are locked so deep within
so let me find this special key of mine
so that my new life can begin

jason
5/21/10, 12:25am

Kiwami - Enomoto Style!

I went out to eat at my friend's restaurant, Kiwami's in Studio City with Jenn! The restaurant is part of the Katsu-ya chain and was so delicious! Imagine eating very little rice with a meal of various sashimis, etc! That's the way to do it! In any case, we sat right in from of Jason Enomoto who was busy working the night away and who prepared one of the most fabulous meals I've ever eaten! I did not want this night to end! The Grey's Anatomy season finale ended the night before the drive home :) Fabulous!

whitefish kumquat carpaccio

The live soft shell crab was too good to take a picture of!

Life is not complete without Poki :)

Truffles :)


Raku Mori: Seared tuna w/ Japanese salsa, Yellowtail jalapeno, Albacore
sashimi, kanpachi w/ mustard ponzu, Crab & avocado wrapped
w/ halibut, Crispy rice w/ spicy tuna, and Baked crab hand roll

Green Tea Pudding

Prom 2010

Prom 2010 at the Globe Theatre at Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA was excellent! The food was tasty, the desserts amazing, the music/entertaining exciting, and of course the site was spectacular! All the students were dressed to impressed! Check out the rest of the pictures at: http://wutanabe5.smugmug.com/School/Dances/PROM2010/12206258_Ls6Bu#869092328_noazd ... The prom queen was Christine Yun and the prom king was Kareem Hammoud! Thanks to all those who helped organize the event and all those who attended!

Let's Dance!

I've reach the end of this newest journey. It's time for a new one. So let's get up off of our feet and celebrate! Let's Dance! :)

Thank you very much for all those who supported me along the way!


let's dance

i want to stand up
scream and jump around
to use this pent up energy
to get me off the ground

to move my legs
and shake my arms
it's just a celebration
don't be alarmed

as it's time to dance
this very day
to let our troubles
be sent away

to move that energy
from limb to limb
so let's not wait any longer
let the celebration begin

there's no one style
that will exist
just a few styles
that seem to persist

so don't worry about
what others may say
express yourself
in your own way

just dance today
just dance tonight
it'll make this feel
oh so right

express yourself
let your body speak
so let it all go
say goodbye to the meek

let's dance right now
in any style you decide
to make the most of these moments
on this truly magical ride

The Four Dishes

I cooked four dishes Monday evening ...
Sticky Icky South
Short Rib Tacos
Snake in the Grass
The Plate :)

For a Reason

for a reason

today you did not get the job
nor did you get that raise
no one around you is cheering you on
nor are they welcoming you with praise

you dropped the ball at an important time
the store closed five minutes ago
you stepped in a puddle on your walk
and you forgot your tickets to the show

while all these things may seem so wrong
as if life was spiraling down
you must find that voice deep inside
that says, "get up off of that ground"

as the weather may be gloomy
maybe you've been directed the wrong way
all these things happen for a reason
and you'll find out why one day

maybe the bus you missed allows you
to meet someone you havent' seen in so long
or maybe you come across a hole in the wall
because you original directions were wrong

maybe that job you did not receive
was the job you would have hated instead
yet just know that when all feels so wrong
you must still get up out of your bed

as the day is awaiting for you to come out
as each moment has a reason to occur
as the answers of the reason behind them
will be provided to those who endure

so keep that hop in your step
take each day with a positive stride
as you have many reasons to smile
while on life's amazing, adventurous ride

jason :)
5/10/10, 10:02pm

Snake in the Grass

I tried my version of the Kogi Truck's Snake in the Grass. With a few adjustments, I made it almost the same, except for the fact that I got too hungry and overfilled my burrito so it ended up being a burrito bowl rather than a burrito. Delicious, however! Tonight, Kogi Tacos and Sticky Icky South! I'm glad I bought too much short rib :)

The Sky's The Limit

Page of My Book - Now & Then

the sky's the limit

look up, not down
although your feet are off the ground
the sky's the limit for you
as your potential you have found

you've discovered what i've known
since the day that we first met
as you have an incredible aura
that no one could forget

you amaze in ways no other could match
with the riches of the earth
and i'll be soaring by your side
to assist, for whatever that is worth

so look towards the heavens, seek the place
you've only dreamed you'd go one day
because now you've found the wings to fly
to carry you on your way

have confidence that you can do this
as you've had this gift all along
as it will only be those holding you back
that will tell you that i am wrong

the skies are waiting, my dear friend
for an angel to join their flight
as soon you will discover
that everything will be alright

so take that leap of faith
as you'll find that you will soar
to the greatest heights you'll ever know
grounded you'll be, nevermore

find the destiny that awaits you
that only few will ever be lucky enough to explore
as hundreds of new adventures await
a new experience at every door

so prepare yourself for flight today
as they skies, they're calling your name
today the heavens and the earth
will both never be the same

so seek the greatest heights you can find
trust your soul to guide the way
as greatness is what awaits you
as the sky's the limit for you today

E-mail me for a PDF of the actual designed page!

Mother's Day BBQ :)

Today was mother's day and as usual, it was time to cook! I asked my mom what she wanted for dinner and the first thing that popped out was Korean BBQ. While I know what we have is not typical "Korean BBQ," or at least I don't think it is, we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and so did JD and Max :) ... Here is the production from beginning to end!

Friday Fanatics

It's Friday and it's wonderful!

Have a great weekend everyone! Mine will be a weekend full of homework, but after this weekend, I will be done with my masters. Hoooooraaaayyyy!!

Simple Pleasures ~ Curry :)

It's the simple pleasures in life that sometimes make your heart melt :) ... I <3 Curry. This time, I used my normal recipe of chicken, potatoes, carrots and onions, added two apples, and picked scallions and cucumbers :) ... The apples, I probably will not do again or if I do, I'll cut them smaller, however, the rest of the meal but me in a great mood, all warm and toasty inside :)

Yay to curry! The quick yet delicious meal!

I also cooked up some spicy lemon herb chicken with the leftover chicken since I bough too much!! Yay! Yummmmmmy!

The Impossible Years Impossible to Top

This year's play, the Impossible Years, was an incredible production put on once again by the Cerritos High School Drama Department. The characters were animated, the storyline was funny, yet serious, and was able to delivery a very important message in the process. While some of the punchlines were geared towards an older audience, the storyline actually matched the fact that some of the punchlines went over the heads of the younger audience members and vice versa. In any case, the story of the similarities and differences of parents and children and the difficulties of parents come together in the Impossible Years. Great job!

JD Lounging in the Backyard

It's my baby JD :)

Ahhhhhh ... the finish line is near :)

I guess whenever I reach the finish line, the "race" always starts again, however, I am close!

I cannot believe that I have been SO busy this year (2010). With all the miles I logged, the homework I have had to do, the grading, the planning, the meets and practices, pweh! It's been a handful, but I guess it's been memorable!

Clippers split the season series with the Lakers and just days before, I had 2nd row tickets in section 101, CENTER COURT! :) Although they got whooped by Dallas, those seats were amazing!

In any case, a few more days of editing and they'll be a little more light at the end of that tunnel calling my name! BTW, I think May 2009 was the last month I spent every night at home during the month. Living out of a suitcase :P

Here's to life!

Spring Break

It's amazing that this spring break has finally come to an end. Over the break, I was a bit busier than I may have wanted to be and did not enough time to do all the work that I had to do, however, I guess I had enough time to finish my coursework and some of the other errands I needed to finish. I still have two weeks of video editing ahead and a bunch of grading. Good luck to me :) Here's a recap of my week.
thursday - love was in the air as we defeated mayfair for the first time in years on the girls varsity level 69-67. we also took home victory in the bfs and gfs divisions.

friday - we spent the day and night at the trabuco hills invitational. prs galore!

saturday - i went down to sd to celebrate a friend's birthday, however, before that, i had some fun with the cousins! day before easter in san diego!

sunday - with some shaking, rattling, and rolling, makoa enjoyed his easter as we rocked out together during the earthquake outdoors.

monday - how to train your dragon ~ so great :)

tuesday - the clippers girls made the dons' classic classic :)

wednesday - marked the annual spring break bonfire! 30+, not bad!

thursday - ucla fight fight fight! noodle planet and she's out of my league :)

friday - prom site touring at the globe theater at universal. great photo shoot!

saturday am - celebrate grace's birthday at ihop! :)

saturday pm - the warrior dash proved epic and even more obstacles with one barrel :) ... who was the ultimate warrior? i only did the course once, haha, so not me! janie monica brenda andrew and kat ~ good times with my party ipod mix.

sunday - homework day! after a day with the masters, i was able to finish off my portfolio and my last papers including my psychology homework week 6.

monday - tomorrow will officially end my spring break festivities with section 101 row 2 seats to the clippers vs mavericks game! yahoo!

farewell spring break! hello almost two months without a break :(