~:[CH4 - Day 334]:~ The First W

~:[CH4 - Day 334]:~ The First W

The first day back almost was a disaster as I woke up late, but of course, got there early enough to beat the traffic in. Throughout the day, I knew it wouldn't be a pretty one, so I kept the workload light and everyone made it through the first day, fairly unscathed. After my classes, I headed out and began working on more banquet prep. It took me a bit to get my hard drives reformatted just right so that I could use them for what I needed them for. I then headed out and on my way to the game. The team we played had at least two huge guys and outsized us, but size doesn't always matter. We ran the floor and kept the pressure up and went up by as much as 28. We were able to rest players in the fourth in what was becoming a fairly sketchy game where it was nice to keep them out of the game. It was also a long game with double bonuses already happening in the first quarter! In any case, it was a great way to start the season and while it will be a long one, it should be fun!

~:[CH4 - Day 333]:~ I Work, Sometimes

~:[CH4 - Day 333]:~ I Work, Sometimes

Every so often, I get a day where I just sit down and focus and do work. It wasn't quite that way today but I did happen to get a lot of work done today. I sat down and began really focusing on the banquet prep, which I am right on schedule for, I hope. In any case, I did get a lot of work done for the banquet on top of my laundry (not a single piece of laundry left to wash). However, I did get distracted when I got called out for lunch (Sweetee Thai) and then a stop at Fusion. It was a good break from my work and I came back focused and ready to go again. Regardless, while I have a lot of work ahead, I made pretty good progress and made me glad at what I did over the break despite not being home very much. I do have a lot of work ahead of me, but I know I can do it if everything goes as planned! Here goes the busiest stretch of my year, cross country banquet prep!

~:[CH4 - Day 332]:~ Avoiding Disaster

~:[CH4 - Day 332]:~ Avoiding Disaster

I woke up super early after staying up super late last night, but it was all worth it. I headed out a little late but got to Irvine just about when I was suppose to. We then headed down to Poway to the Mt. Woodson trail. I knew what to expect in terms of the "finish line" but the hike up was quite nice as well. I think my hike at Rainier helped prepare me for this hike and many others, as it was pretty much an easy ascent except for the fact that I didn't really eat before heading out. I avoided disaster however and made it to the top. The line at the top was long and I was able to find someone to take our group photo but I was able to take the individual and small group ones. I, in turn, took pictures for the group of the girl who took my picture before heading down the mountain. It was definitely a great hike and glad I ended up heading out to avoid the disaster of not going. We ventured to Pizza Port and grabbed some great food before heading back. I didn't drive and ended up passing out on the way home. I headed home, but ended up at Hard Times and shot some pool. I was shooting okay tonight but a little off. It was great seeing Nat who returned from Arizona for the weekend! I then ventured off to Tpumps to grab a few drinks to make the evening perfect. Well, actually, seeing a few more people who picked up their Tpumps made it even better. It was awesome to have a little time to relax after getting home and while I am sore, it was worth ever bit of pain I will feel tomorrow.

~:[CH4 - Day 331]:~ Making the Most Out of It

~:[CH4 - Day 331]:~ Making the Most Out of It

Leftovers is often the theme of the holidays, however, why eat the same food you at the day or days before when you can turn it into something more. I often take my leftover saltado and make it into a soup! It was great to do so and added a little bit of spice to the traditional leftover. The day itself was left to cleaning and designing. I was able to make my way through an entire shelf of papers and have progressed to tossing so much stuff! It feels so good to do so. I also designed two shirts that we needed done for our banquet, as I began making the program for it as well! I ventured out to grab some boba for some much needed catch up time. I then ventured to our captains meeting where we began planning for next year. As I was leaving, I ran into a few alumni, as we got to catch up, which is always a great thing. I cleaned into the night, but kept thinking of how blessed I am and grateful for all that I have been given. 

~:[CH4 - Day 330]:~ More Than Just The Food

~:[CH4 - Day 330]:~ More Than Just The Food

It was the first time in awhile that I did not head to the Turkey Trot. It was nice not to have to wake up and have a lot more time in my day than usual. I woke up, did a little bit of work, picked up my groceries and then began my prep. I watched football as I did and while the games did not pan out the way I had hoped, the day is always more than just good food, football, or shopping. Thanksgiving is all about the relationships that we forge with us - family and friends. While we should treasure our relationships all the time, today is definitely a reminder of how lucky we are to have people around us who love us and blessed with all the things that we have. Whether we are barely making it or well off, we have a lot of gratitude to give, as we have a heartbeat that allows us to love. I am so very thankful for all those who have been a part of my life in all capacities and cannot imagine a moment without you all it. No matter the role you play,  you are an integral part of the success that I have experienced over the past year and over the course of my life. As I downed my last morsel of food, I smiled, not because I was happy with all the deliciousness, but because I was surrounded by those who I loved and that is the greatest thing that I could be given and the reason why I am so thankful.

~:[CH4 - Day 329]:~ No Place Like Home

~:[CH4 - Day 329]:~ No Place Like Home

I live a life on the road as most people have figured out, but in the end, there is no place like home. After back-to-back trips to Vegas, I was glad to be back at home and headed to a family gathering. Before I left Vegas, I went to the ever-so-generous Hangover machine and collected my allowance as it paid out AGAIN! This time, I ended up with $500 prize that definitely made my trip a lot better. With Raising Canes in my stomach for the second time this week, I was happy and the smooth drive home even made it better. I headed to our family party and just caught up with everyone. I played Galaga as usual and set the two highest scores again! I guess growing up in the arcade has paid off for something :P ... the food is always good at these gatherings, but seeing the family is even better. Nothing can match it and I cannot wait for the rest of the celebrations. While adventure awaits beyond and there is so much to explore in the world, I am definitely glad to be home, as there is no place like it!

~:[CH4 - Day 328]:~ Paradise in Paradise

~:[CH4 - Day 328]:~ Paradise in Paradise

It was our annual round in Vegas and as usual, we had to wake up super early to get to the course on time for our tee time, which is set right before the rate goes up. We hit the course at 7:30am and while we thought we were paired with someone else, it just ended up being my dad and I. I started on the right foot and thought the day would be fabulous, but it ended up being a pretty rough day. I ended up with a birdie after I sunk a bunker shot and almost got a hole-in-one on a short par 3, as the ball rolled just past the hole leaving an easy birdie putt. The wind picked up and made the round very challenging and despite the horrific day, I still ended up in the 80s. Bali Hai is always a great course to play! We headed to Monta Ramen after and enjoyed a nice bowl of ramen to warm ourselves in the cold weather. When returning back, we hit the floor and gambled the rest of the evening. My night was going pretty well until I stopped off at Casino War, trying to make a quick buck. Mistake. Haha ... oh well, better luck next time. While waiting to go to dinner, I laid down and ended up waking up in the morning, missing dinner altogether. I guess Bacchanal on Monday was worth two dinners. It will was a great day and was truly paradise. 

~:[CH4 - Day 327]:~ Coming Full Circle

~:[CH4 - Day 327]:~ Coming Full Circle

I was trying to figure out a way to make it work so I wouldn't have to go home, but it didn't work out so our team headed out after downing some Raising Canes and back to Cerritos. There was a little bit of backup but for the most part it was a smooth ride home and it was quite enjoyable as well. We got a little delayed though, so I ended up getting home at about 2:20pm and by 2:50pm was back on the road back to Vegas.  Yes, you heard me right, I headed back to Vegas after driving back. It was a smooth trip after we got out of local traffic and we were in line for Bacchanal just after 7pm. Yes, I went to Bacchanal on back-to-back days. The wait was much longer, but my dad and I got in and still got to enjoy dinner. After getting back, I was beat, so I ended up laying on the bed and just getting in some shut eye. There's along day ahead, but I am glad that I made it back safely and in a timely manner. 

~:[CH4 - Day 326]:~ More Than a Race

~:[CH4 - Day 326]:~ More Than a Race

We woke up early and headed to the park for the race. The park was already crowded as many of the younger racers got on the course. We had a number of good races and everyone who raced ended up qualifying for the National JO Championships in Albuquerque. However, the best part of the trip was just seeing everyone come together and enjoy their time together. On our way home, we stopped at Poke Express and the Nike & Asics outlets. We then ventured back and headed to Bacchanal. I thought we would be waiting forever, but our group of 13 took only 15 minutes to get seated. I was amazed and the athletes looked like they enjoyed the experience. We then headed back to the hotel and ended up bowling three games each since they all wanted one more game. I was beat and relaxed for a bit while the team played a game they bought. It definitely ended on a positive note and am glad that this trip came together and these athletes got to get to know each other. I am truly blessed and was reminded that doing this is more than just the race, but the experience that each of these athletes get to have in the process. 

~:[CH4 - Day 325]:~ Let the Show Begin

~:[CH4 - Day 325]:~ Let the Show Begin

We headed out in the morning and ended up at Vegas for the regional JOs. The first group left in the morning and we had a pretty smooth drive. We were able to stop at Monta Ramen. We then walked the strip from Aria, up to the Venetian, and back down through Treasure Island, Mirage, and the Bellagio before heading to the Monte Carlo to eat. We enjoyed the time out there and ended the night with Zakara. I tried my best to surprise them that we were going to watch a Cirque show since I got a deal for them and there were a number of great performances as usual. I was exhausted by the time we got back but before we headed to sleep, we had to fix our shower since it only shot out hot water. In the end though, we had a great night and the it's time for the races to begin.

~:[CH4 - Day 324]:~ Coming Back Home

~:[CH4 - Day 324]:~ Coming Back Home

It's always fun to be apart of the alumni game, as you get to see the Dons of the past come back to the floor. For most of them, I get a chance to catch up and see how things are going. This year, we were able to get a good handle on them, as we distance ourselves from them early taking the victory. The girls varsity edged their alumni, and the staff and coaches both won as well. While I didn't play so well, I was pretty happy on how things turned out except for the fact that I messed up my left hand a bit, as a bruised formed down my palm. The day itself was also wonderful as we made thank you cards for Thanksgiving. After wrapping up our Columbus trials, the students showed their creative sides and decorated the cards so beautifully. It was a great and exhausting last day which ended with a stop at Tpumps and LA, but ultimately, I made it home and started getting everything together for tomorrow's trip and the start of travel season ... at least nine trips in the next 15 weeks. Let's go! 

~:[CH4 - Day 323]:~ Finding Comfort

~:[CH4 - Day 323]:~ Finding Comfort

Yes, this may not look appropriate, but the aesthetics of it was something I could not resist. Why post a picture of pants that have just been taken off? It was funny because it made me think of the moment you get home when you just want to take of your pants and get comfortable. I'm sure we've all done it. It's much like life as sometimes we are in positions that may not be the most comfortable and when we have the opportunity to be ourselves, it feels so good just to let loose. I thought about it though and wondered, why do I have to try so hard? I guess I really don't. However, a part of me doesn't mind wearing the pants as long as I have that moment of glory to look forward to, where I change into something more comfortable and lay down in bed. I got to do that after a fairly calm day. We continued our Columbus trial, analyzed the economics of Disneyland, ran to a junior high meet, and I finished the evening with a wonderful dinner with a friend. I had a nice drive and was able to finish up the video for this weekend. Overall, I got through it and I just hope that those around me can find he joy and comfort that I feel, as I've found a place where comfort reigns supreme.

~:[CH4 - Day 322]:~ Once Again

~:[CH4 - Day 322]:~ Once Again

This meal was something ... something I've had almost every week or every other week; however, I enjoy it and don't mind the repetition. Similarly, we started our Christopher Columbus trial and while I have done this before, I do enjoy it and don't mind doing it year after year. It was an interesting day as I had a few cancellations which opened up my schedule, but while that happened, things seemed to work out. I ended up more free time during the day and got a good conversation with a wonderful friend who has always been a rock in my life. While I had a lot more planned for the day, I did enjoy just catching up and getting things I didn't plan on getting to today done. People always say you need some spice in your life, but sometimes, just the norm is exactly what you need.

~:[CH4 - Day 321]:~ Another One Gone By

~:[CH4 - Day 321]:~ Another One Gone By

It's funny how quickly a day can go by, as well as a week, a month and even a year. I've learned more and more to try my best to appreciate each of these days as if it were my last and so I will treat each one as so. While my day was spent catching up, I kept trying to stay focused on making the day great. During my break, I ran into an alumni and we were able to chat a bit before I headed back to school for my Nationals meeting. I then got a little more work done, chatted a bit, before prepping for practice. While our season is done, we have a few more athletes with a couple of competitions left, so we are still focused on training. I trailed them on the run and even got in one set with the team. A few of us ended up stopping at BWWs like old times before I headed out to Tpumps, which is always a blessing. I headed home and it was a little earlier than normal as I got to work and finished up everything else I had on my agenda. I did a little online Christmas shopping, and started to iron out the plans for a few of my trips. One of those trips included reading an article on how you could get frostbit in Alaska right now by spending even a minute uncovered outdoors. Good luck to us. Another day has passed, but of course, it did not go by without a smile and the joy of knowing that I made the most out of it and tomorrow, I will do my best to do the same. 

~:[CH4 - Day 320]:~ Weather or Not

~:[CH4 - Day 320]:~ Weather or Not

I was pretty tired and my neck was still stiff. It was a challenge to get through the day, but I slowly made it and graded through my stacks of paper in the process. While I felt a little distracted on the day which was doubled by the fact that I wore jeans to school for once, the day was swift and soon enough, it was time to head out. I jammed out towards traffic so I could make my rounds and eventually ended up at LACMA. We scrambled at the last minute so our final ticket did not go to waste. It would have been a shame if it had. We played in the noodles for a bit before heading over to the rain room. It was amazing. While we had to angle our selves to get the shots we wanted, ultimately, we got a few key shots in this awesome installation. I am going to try to make my way back again. In any case, afterward, we hit up Sprinkle's and In and Out before I had to battle LA traffic all the way home. It was nice to get home early to upload pictures and then do a little bit of work here and there without it being too late. Looks like I am going to get to sleep early tonight. While the weather almost matched the inside of the Rain Room, it held off despite the wind that brought a pile of pine needles to my drive way. After today though, that pile cannot rain on my parade, as today was spectacular!

~:[CH4 - Day 319]:~ Blowing Off the Dust

~:[CH4 - Day 319]:~ Blowing Off the Dust

Yesterday we were covered in dust. Today, the wind rolled in and blew away most of that dust, as we raced on a normal course that I wasn't miserable at despite the weather. Normally this day can be quite the long one, however, this year, the races went by quickly and smoothly. While we only had a handful of people running since most of them were waived, it was great to be out there and just seeing the athletes run. After, we stopped at Tpumps again and then headed to Sweetee Thai to fill up on some food. I came home to finish cleaning my room and continued cleaning my office. I am pretty proud of my progress. I was able to lounge around a bit, but also had a lot of work to do for a variety of things. When times get like this, it's always hard to focus because I'm trying to keep up with everything. I feel a little bad because I haven't done a good job at keeping in contact with everyone recently, In any case, I survived the night and other than my strained neck, today went well as I start on the new road ahead. 

~:[CH4 - Day 318]:~ The Dust Bowl

~:[CH4 - Day 318]:~ The Dust Bowl

As a history teacher, I learned and also taught about the dust bowl but never thought I'd leave through one in real life. Since we had the last races of the day, we didn't have to leave for the course until noon, which gave me plenty of time to organize myself and even grab Yoshinoya and TapEx. I then headed over and we were on our way. We hit a bunch of traffic on the way and ended up getting there about 80 minutes later. When arriving, I knew what to expect since we had been there before or so I thought. The course was much dustier than before and we huge heats, it made it troublesome for any athlete not in the front to avoid sucking in dust. Heck, I had black boogers all evening after getting back from the race. In any case, while we did not have the race we had hoped, I was proud at the effort of my athletes and the push they gave at the end of the race. We made improvements from the last time we were there and you can't ask for much more than the team's best effort. It definitely was a sad moment, as I this team had a lot of very likable personalities that made coaching enjoyable. While the troubles of the course continued with dust covered everything, thorns in places I never knew existed, and exit traffic and return traffic that was ridiculous, I was happy to have spent this season with these athletes and no ridiculousness of a course and CIF experience could ever change that. At least my commemorative CIF patch also was covered in dust (sadly, I didn't even have to drop it on the ground to get it like that). We ended the night together at Pho Tasty and I did a quick escape to Tpumps which helped me recover quicker from the dust bowl 2015.

~:[CH4 - Day 317]:~ Coming Back Together

~:[CH4 - Day 317]:~ Coming Back Together

It was Friday the 13th and there were a number of events that made it seem as such from the terrorist attack in Paris to the earthquake off the coast of Japan. I was a little saddened on how some people have used it to make a political message considering the number of lives lost, as the focus should be on the victims and the families of the situation. In time, governments will go after those responsible, but this is a time we remember those who were lost and treasure those who we have. I did just that as I had a fairly unplanned day of sharing moments with a number of people, After surviving the announcing at our make up cross country rally, I head out to Red Eye Fish and caught up with a few alum who had stopped on by. It's always great catching up and hearing about the adventures going on. Then at practice, we had a few more arrive and we were able to just chat a bit. Since it was Arthur's birthday, we hit up Yojie's and while I did not eat, we were able to enjoy each other's company and it didn't hurt that I had a lot of credit and our bill came out to just over three dollars. I headed home and scanned photos for a slideshow, drew out the cards for my team for tomorrow and wrote my final message to them. Then, I randomly got a message from a college friend who was around. It was great because we got to meet up and while I had just ate a little, I was fine with taking in a little bit more at Umaya. It was wonderful catching up and while I spent the rest of the night until I couldn't keep my eyes open making cards, I enjoyed the day, making sure that I treasured the moments with those around me because they are the ones who make me who I am and the ones that should be focused upon, especially in moments like these. It is a difficult time and will be one for many especially in Paris, but together, we can overcome it and so don't forget those who have stood by your side, as they are the best part of our lives.

~:[CH4 - Day 316]:~ The Boys

~:[CH4 - Day 316]:~ The Boys

These boys drive me a little nuts sometimes, but they are definitely ones who keep my life interesting. Tonight was our CIF dinner and as usual, we enoyed the evening at Macaroni Grill. We always take up the back of the restaurant and have our own little corner. It's wonderful to see them engaged with each and so focused on writing great messages to each other. I'm always excited for them to get their cards because of all the things that people say. In any case, today was filled with food, as I had soup dumplings (thanks Sunny), Halal Guys (thanks Ali), TapEx, and of course, Macaroni Grill. I am stuffed to the brim, but enjoyed the day just as much. It's always a ltitle sad as we get closer to CIF because you always know that not everything will stay the same after it. We'll hope for the best and see what happens, but for now, I say, adieu!

~:[CH4 - Day 315]:~ Pho the Love of Driving

~:[CH4 - Day 315]:~ Pho the Love of Driving

I've always loved to drive. Today, I got to do just that. I started the morning off well as I cleaned my entire bedroom and left only a handful of things to do before it is complete. While I still need to toss some items (does anyone want a rock band set for the Wii?), I am pretty much back to a normal bedroom and now just have to finish my office. I headed out and ran a few errands before hitting the road. The road was clear and the drive was smooth. I made it super early to San Diego and thus, we hit the road early to eat at OB Noodles. The service was pretty bad overall (time and mistakes), but the hostess cured some of the issues with her upbeat personality and energy. The food was alright but definitely had great company that made it a great afternoon. We ended the day with some sprinkles ice cream, which added to the items that I would be dropping off later that day. Traffic picked up on the way home, as it took a lot longer (double) than it took to get there. I ended up stopping at Krispy Kreme to make a delivery. I ended the night in LA, watching a great preview dance performance. I was very impressed and while I know they will still be working on the routine, they were able to do a lot in the short time that they have had to get it all together. It was a great drive home with clear roads, but ultimately, I enjoyed all the moments I got to spend on the road. On a final note, it definitely is a day to salute our veterans who have risked or given their lives so that we have the freedoms that we do. We often forget that many do this and sacrifice so much, while we complain about the slightest of things. Let's be grateful about all that we have and remember all those who deserve more than just a single day of recognition.

~:[CH4 - Day 314]:~ Out of This World

~:[CH4 - Day 314]:~ Out of This World

I moved through the day very quickly as each period was loaded. In econ, we presented the family packets and in world, we went from Asia maps to the Renaissance in a single period. After making it through, I met up with the one and only Kat, who I haven't seen for awhile. It was great catching up before I had to head back to practice. Practice went pretty smoothly as we headed out to our next CIF event. It was a pretty good setup and it allowed the team to write in more of the cards. It was great to see that while they wanted to enjoy bowling, they were really focused on writing good and thoughtful messages to each other. The cosmic bowling setup at Cerritos is fabulous now and I was impressed on the look of the lanes. I ended the night with a stop at Tpumps and it was pretty nice getting it. I ended up with too many but they will all be gone by tomorrow. I ended up cleaning a bit more, but my exhaustion took over and now it's time to sleep. 

~:[CH4 - Day 313]:~ Positive Reinforcement

~:[CH4 - Day 313]:~ Positive Reinforcement

Today wasn't all bad for a Monday. I got up in pretty good spirits as I had a positive vibe carryover from Sunday. I made it through all my periods and before I knew it, it was time for practice. This is one of my favorite days, as we got a chance to positively reinforce each other with beautiful messages to each other. I love to hand the cards off to the athletes on Thursday so they can read a card full of great messages. I've enjoyed working with this group and ultimately, it's left a very positive vibe in my system. I also made a lot of progress cleaning today. I finished going through two shelves worth of material! I was pretty impressed with myself and hopefully can keep up this cleaning progress so that by the time the holiday's come around, my room will be tidy. I would say spotless, but I doubt that will ever happen. Regardless, it's been a great stretch and I cannot wait to uncover even more positive vibes from all around! 

~:[CH4 - Day 312]:~ Mixing It Up

~:[CH4 - Day 312]:~ Mixing It Up

It was Sunday and football wasn't going so well. However, that's all that didn't go well today as it was a great day as the sun was shining in what is suppose to be a more gloomy season. After making a lot of progress cleaning my room, I headed to Amor y Tacos to meet up with Mon in what always is a great catch up! I've always been blessed to have such great friends and ones who you can talk to absolutely nothing about and it would be all good. We ended up catching up and since I had to be responsible for later on in the day, she let me slide with only half of this drink. I was able to get some work done at home before heading back out, this time to LA. I was surprised to see that I was going to be eating across from where I had been a little earlier in Koreatown. The traffic wasn't too bad but I missed the pre-exit which would have allowed me to bypass a good amount of traffic. Regardless, I made it on time. The evening was definitely a great one with some good conversation. I think I learned a lot tonight and it's always nice when you feel that you can be real with someone. You always search for people who you can be comfortable with, who you want to share with, and just don't mind spending time with when three hours goes by like three minutes. It was definitely fun catching up and ultimately, I drove home knowing I made the most of my day and found myself comforted in knowing that no matter how bad a day starts, good friends ... scratch that, great friends will always make it better. I have some great friends who have made me better and for that, I am forever grateful. 

~:[CH4 - Day 311]:~ On With the Show

~:[CH4 - Day 311]:~ On With the Show

I woke up refreshed and while it was early, I felt pretty good. Of course, because I slept, I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me. I ended up catching up on what I needed to have finished then began to clean everything I didn't last night. By the time I realized what time it was, I had to head out. Our team ventured to East West Palace for a pre-CIF night on the town event. We ice skating and while it was a little crowded, we had a pretty good time. We then ventured over to Medieval Times and enjoyed the evening. I am always amazed at the beautiful performances of the horses. They are so majestic! Our knight was great at the games but lost in the first match and so it wasn't as exciting of a night as I have had in the past. Regardless, we made the most of it and cheered through the evening. We stopped off at Frostbites and took them by storm, as the once quite place was overrun by, well runners. They seemed to enjoy the ride home more and all in all, it was a great night. Hopefully, it's only one of a number of great things to come! 

~:[CH4 - Day 310]:~ Lights Out

~:[CH4 - Day 310]:~ Lights Out

This year has been quite strange and it continued on Friday. With a busy day including having a former student observe my class, when heading to the gym for the rally, the lights went out. It was strange because this continues a string of things that have been happening to me this year. I keep wondering, what did I do this time? The blackout was pretty widespread and it went into fourth period so we had to evacuate out to the blacktop. Regardless, we made the most of it and had a photo shoot right then and there and made up for the time we lost. I was able to grab a nice lunch with my former student which was great especially because it was at Northern Cafe. After, I headed back to school and we ended up doing our normal CIF photo shoot and run and it turned out pretty good. I had a great time and I think we got all the shots that we needed to on the day. All in all, I really enjoyed the day and while busy, it was a great one. I grabbed some more organizing stuff from Daiso, but I fell asleep before I could do anything with it. Good night world ... time to turn the lights out. 

~:[CH4 - Day 309]:~ First to the Finish

~:[CH4 - Day 309]:~ First to the Finish

It was another day dedicated to cross country and it was a pretty good one. After getting all the paperwork together and trying to piece the potluck together, I headed to school to get the day started. I felt pretty good about the day and I ended up being right. The girls JV team had a nice battle on their hands but it was the third place team who posed the threat, which was comforting as it helped secure the championships. We had four in the top seven and pulled out a 31-44 win! Our boys JV was ready to go! Despite one of our top guys going the wrong way and catching back up, we finished 2-7 and scored 20 points! It was a great race by that group! The girls followed that with an amazing race of their own. They showed their progress as they finished with four all-league athletes and moved from third to second as they edged La Mirada 65-71. While the boys were a little beaten up, they still managed to take the title as they only needed to finish second, which they did. My top runner was also crowned MVP, which was pretty awesome! The varsity team dressed up and looked quite fashionable and was glad that they did. I was happy to see how well they did, glad the parents came through and got the potluck together and just happy with all of the ohana - athletes, coaches, alumni and more! I am so proud and truly say the idea of, "I am because we are" today! 

~:[CH4 - Day 308]:~ Together

~:[CH4 - Day 308]:~ Together 

It was a common theme through the day, together. As the season began drawing to a close, people began to realize that they would no longer be together on a daily basis and while they would see each other, they would not necessarily have what they had on this day. Similarly with our varsity groups, they also heard the same message, together they would try to accomplish great things. I feel that in today's society that togetherness is missed. While there are many great people in this world who have worked together and given so much, there are also a large amount of people who don't understand the concept of working for the person next to you, sacrificing for them, or giving back to them. I've been lucky enough to experience so many great people who think so much for others and I hope that this trend in the opposite direction can change. People, especially young people, need to understand that they have a responsibility to not only reach for success for themselves, but for others around. In life, you're not always going to get what you want and while you will strive for it, we should also learn that the greatest prize that comes from the process, whether you reach your goal or not, is the struggle you have with those around you. The ones who sweat with you, bled with you, cried with you and more. It's about giving up your last bite of food because someone next to you needed it more. As while reaching the greatest heights may be amazing, the experience will be much better with people who you love by your side so that you may enjoy the view with them. Only in a life where you realize that "I am because we are," we will truly feel fulfilled. 

~:[CH4 - Day 307]:~ Closing In

~:[CH4 - Day 307]:~ Closing In

After a review day in class, we had our last hard workout of the regular season as we closed in on league finals. It always gets a little nostalgic as we approach these final days as no matter what team I have, you think about all the moments of the season. On the day, we shot a few clips for a potential music video for our rally, which will mostly be pictures of our season with a few clips here and there. With the weather becoming more normal, it truly felt like the end of the season and it was weird to be standing there thinking that it's already the end. I took my normal route to Tpumps and it was a pretty quick turn around. I enjoyed the evening and while I had a lot more work to do than I finished, I felt nice and relaxed as the evening went on. 

~:[CH4 - Day 306]:~ Perfectionless

~:[CH4 - Day 306]:~ Perfectionless

While I strive for great work and often try to get it perfect, I definitely have realized that striving for perfection is a waste of time, as being perfectionless is quite okay. Don't get me wrong, I want to do good quality work, but it just won't be without its flaws. I think the "flaws" are what give what we produce character and make it truly, made by us. While today was a little bit challenging with my first first period class of the day, a full day, mini-sim tryouts, and of course, a handful of work awaiting me when I got home, I was happy just to be here. Sometimes you wonder how you could be so happy when things are just going okay, but I guess simply living is something you should be happy about. As I put the final touches on the banner for this year, I was about to fix a minor mistake, but stopped and though, it gives the banner character, as I left it the way it was. I could get used to this, however, for now, I will just reflect on the awesomeness that was today which included the beautiful painting across the canvas overhead.

~:[CH4 - Day 305]:~ Ending on a High Note

~:[CH4 - Day 305]:~ Ending on a High Note

I woke up and wasted my morning watching the Lions versus Chiefs game in Vegas. However, I did not waste a bit of my weekend. We cleaned up and headed to Raising Canes for my normal goodbye Vegas meal. It was a great way to say goodbye. The drive back was fairly smooth but led to a detour to Tpumps, which was a good idea. On the way home, I kept on an eye on all the games going on and it was a pretty good day as I picked most of the games correctly. I did some work before meeting up for dinner which is always great to chat about life but also about sports and football. I was so intrigued and was glad to have someone across from me who knew that much. I headed home and prepped for my first day of econ for tomorrow. I also planned for a few of my trips including locking in my trip to New York in January. Yahoo! I was exhausted but was glad to have as productive of a weekend as I did. It's definitely the way to go!