~ :[CH5 - Day 212]:~ City Lights

~ :[CH5 - Day 212]:~ City Lights

It was a little later of a morning, which was nice, but we still headed out after breakfast to hit up the city. We ventured out to Loco Taqueria and enjoyed a light brunch after breakfast. Yesterday, we barely ate and today would be a day full of food. We ventured back to Boston Commons and wandered around the park and the public gardens before following the Freedom Trail. It was amazing to go to so many different places in such a short amount of time. While we got distracted from time to time with a few more stops to eat, we were able to see a good amount of historical sites in such a short period of time. After venturing to food and historical stops, we wrapped up the day by stopping at TD garden before heading back to the pier to grab dinner. The night concluded in Boston Commons as we wandered around the park before trying a lobster roll at McDonalds. We made use of the entire day and enjoyed this beautiful city in a different light. By the time nightfall came around, the once crowded streets became quiet and peaceful places where I soaked in the city and all the stories that came from the many points that I visited today. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 211]:~ A Day Full of Stars

~ :[CH5 - Day 211]:~ A Day Full of Stars

We turned in late on Friday and tried to wake up early Saturday. We didn't wake up as early as planned but it worked out in the end. We drove out to Foxboro to see the Patriots in training camp. It was cool to see everyone there and after searching around, we got a great spot in the corner near where some of the players would walk on by. At the end of practice, Kevin Faulk came by, followed by Tom Brady. You would think that he would be the highlight of that moment and as great as he is, it was the moment for Aaron Dobson. A lady was celebrating her 49th birthday and was trying to get an autograph. She was failed with Faulk and Brady, but Dobson signed the board to the delight of the crowd who chanted, "sign the board." After wandering around and shopping in the stadium area, we headed back to rest. As the day turned to night, Aleissa Cara finished her set and it was time. Coldplay walked onto the stage and took over the evening. Their lighting was beautiful and combined with confetti, balloons, and fireworks, they rocked it. The even took a portion of their performance to remember their start by performing on a small stage with none of the "wow" effects. While the ending was a little bland with no encore, their performance was awesome as they played songs both old and new to capture the entire audience. While it took over two hours to get home, it gave me time to soak it all in. It was such a great performance and as tired as I was, I lyrics, "look how they shine for you," kept repeating in my head. They sent a great message through their performance as they talked about how this world is just not right right now and how we need send out positive vibes to those around us. As while there are many things that may annoy us or we may worry about things that we don't have, ultimately, we can learn to be patient, learn to deal with others and cut them some slack, and realize that the only thing we really need is love from those around us and enough food to sustain ourselves. Truly, as while the world around us is so materialistic, when you really thing about it, to be happy in life is simple if you keep the right perspective. While emptiness, heartbreak, failures and more will try to bring you down, look up in the sky, there are a million reasons just above you that are a reason to smile, as they're all shining for you.

~ :[CH5 - Day 210]:~ Beauty in the City Limits

~ :[CH5 - Day 210]:~ Beauty in the City Limits

Wandering through the streets of Boston and the surrounding areas, we were able to see such a diverse type of environment in each place. In Cambridge, we got a smaller town feel with much of its history contained within the walls of Harvard Square. We ventured through the MIT area, near the Boston Commons, and ended up in the Back Bay area. I kind of relived my experience when tI watched the Boston Marathon back in April, however, this time, I had time to wander through the commons and nearby gardens. While the park was packed and parking was amazingly challenging, I still enjoyed exploring the city, despite the fact that I was exhausted by day's end. As I thought back through the day, I though of the contrast of the peaceful gardens to the crowded streets of Boston. It definitely is such a change of pace in a short distance, but in that lies the beauty of this city. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 209]:~ Up Above

~ :[CH5 - Day 209]:~ Up Above

Sometimes when you're stuck in the mess of the world below, taking a step back to get a better view can sometimes help you keep things in perspective. Sometimes, going high above the ground can do the same. After a short sleep, I was headed on my way to the airport but realized I didn't have my wallet, so I began to search. I looked high and low but could not locate it and I knew I would need it. I backtracked, thought back to where I would have left it and it was not in all the normal places. In the end, thirty minutes after I planned to leave, I found it. I'm not going to tell you where, but it was a very unlikely place. It's always interesting that when you really need something, you never are able to find it (or at least not easily) and when you don't need it, it always seems to be around. My flights were good as I caught up on sleep, but when I got to Boston, the car rental I thought I had, wasn't in fact made. What a day! I ended up getting a car though and made my way to my hotel. I enjoyed my dinner and also the upgraded model room they provided me as I sat back and watched the DNC convention. It was nice to take that step back and as many things that went wrong, I realized, I'm on vacation. Let's enjoy this! 

~ :[CH5 - Day 208]:~ Bouncing Around

~ :[CH5 - Day 208]:~ Bouncing Around

I had a number of things I wanted to accomplish by day's end and playing with two dogs during the day was not one of them, but I did it anyway. It's amazing how a dog can make you feel. There is something awesome about the love and attention the dog wants and how that interaction forms a bond that is nearly unbreakable. You think of all the stories of someone and their dog and truly understand that loyalty is one of the best quality that you can find. As I ventured through the day, I bounced between Santa Ana, Tustin, and Orange before trying to fight traffic to make it to Liberty to see Jamie perform! I accomplished a lot today and when I got home, I still had work to do. I prepped everything for when I am gone and also packed my bags. I will not be here tomorrow and hope that while things are a little crazy right now, that they can all work out in the end. I am exhausted and hope that when I wake up in a few hours that I will be prepared to survive the day ahead! 

~ :[CH5 - Day 207]:~ When Life's Beauty Isn't Enough

~ :[CH5 - Day 207]:~ When Life's Beauty Isn't Enough

As I looked around me and saw how picturesque this moment was and how great of a day it was by days end, I realized, that it still wasn't quite enough. Some days, you just find it hard to feel fulfilled when there is a piece of you missing. As great and as smoothly as things went today, it still could not fill that emptiness that comes with life. When I wake up in the morning, things will be different, but sometimes, just sometimes, you know that very little can be done to take the day to the next level. I still stare at this photo and keep falling in love with the timing, the framing, and the fact that my phone was able to capture the moment, yet my mind still wanders. Tomorrow will be a new day and gradually the void will be filled, but today, there was so much beauty, yet it still felt short of fully reviving me. Time allows wounds to heal and love is what takes away the pain that we all encounter at some point or another. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 206]:~ Not Quite Ready

~ :[CH5 - Day 206]:~ Not Quite Ready

I wasn't sure if the team was ready to handle the full workout on our long day, but a nice group of athletes were able to complete the workout in pretty good time and got the day off to a great start. I knew the day would be a full one, as there was a lot on the schedule. After venturing around a bit, I took a quick nap before heading to Sender One to climb. It's such a beautiful gym and looking around, I keep hoping that one day, I'll be good enough to climb some of the more advanced walls. Of course, I'm not quite there yet. Of course, in life, there are a number of occasions when we're just not quite ready, whether it's for a challenge at hand, for some good or bad news, or the like. I had one of those days filled with "not quite ready" moments and while that was the case, I'll keep pushing through, improving myself and finding a way to make things work. It's always hard to hand the fact that you're not ready, but it also can make you become a better person and I am going to use it to do just that. There's a lot to be said, but words can only do so much. If you want to be ready in life, you need to take action and I hope that going forward, I will do my best to be ready for all that's headed my way. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 205]:~ It's Lit

~ :[CH5 - Day 205]:~ It's Lit

I was able to sleep in and it was beautiful. No alarm on a Sunday is what is was all about. Of course, there were things to do, but ultimately, I got to rest. As the morning became afternoon, I ran errands, made a few stops, then headed to a birthday pool celebration with my friends. It's always great to have these gatherings and while we used to have them more often, it's great to have them when we get a chance. I promised to eat dinner with my parents so I headed back for a great dinner. I love it when we have leftover chicken that we get to grill. It's always so delicious! Of course, that didn't end up being the end of the day, as I made a stop to the Santa Monica Pier and battled the crowds. It was a fun being there, but definitely a bit crazy. Wurstkuche ended up being the last stop of a wonderful day and while I sat there still questioning whether it was a single day adventure or not, I couldn't help but smile, as it was definitely a great day. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 204]:~ Life's a Beach

~ :[CH5 - Day 204]:~ Life's a Beach

It was once again one of those days that kept on going. It was hard to keep thinking that the day was simply a single one, but it was. I woke up early and headed down to Manhattan Beach for our morning workout. We ended up doing repeats at Sand Dune Park. It was a little eerie as the sky had a redish tint from the Santa Clarita fire and while the sky was not ashy, it had a glow that reminded you that the fire existed. The workout was tough, but also worthwhile and we ended up spending a few moments at the beach. I was able to stop by the Cypress Community Fair before I headed out to the Pike and shoreline of Long Beach. It was packed, but it was fun being in such a crowd of people seeing all that was going on. As day turned to night, it was nice to finish off the night walking the pier of Huntington Beach and driving down PCH before calling it a night. Being at four beaches in two days is a little interesting, but also enjoyable as you get to be out and about with a range of people with all walks of life. You can see how they enjoy life and it makes you want to strive to do the same. It was a long day, but a day well spent and I look forward to another one. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 203]:~ Igniting the Flame

~ :[CH5 - Day 203]:~ Igniting the Flame

It seems as if the bonfire is one of the jump starters for the year, as the athletes get a chance to get to know each other after numerous practices together. The morning brought a day of running and blob tag, which is always a great game. I hate running errands and packing up the car, but once it's all unpacked, it is nice to rest a bit and relax. While I don't like the beach, today's bonfire was a little different as it went by quickly and I did a range of things throughout the day other than just simply cook. The sting rays were a bit of an annoyance on the day, but ultimately, with a lot of food, sunset photos, and just a nice solid group of athletes together, it ended up being a very good day together. I am hoping that the season continues as is, as this group has been slowly meshing and growing together. Hopefully today is the day that can ignite the ohana flame within them so that they may carry the torch that so many athletes before them carried. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 202]:~ Overcoming Obstacles

~ :[CH5 - Day 202]:~ Overcoming Obstacles

Thursdays are normally not easy days. Usually they are filled with hills or races during cross country season and today was no different. With the new athletes getting their first taste of hills, it was definitely a great moment to see all of them push through the difficult workout. After trying to get my athletes in the right fit for their shoes and finishing up a load of paperwork I had, I was able to get my afternoon group through an even tougher set of hills. The temperatures were still warm and to push through this workout was definitely a challenging one. I was pretty proud of those who went and overcame the obstacles they faced. Overall, it was a great workout and we ended with a nice meal in the darkness and while my two meals today were pretty bad health-wise, it was a great way to celebrate National Junk Food Day. I'm not 100% sure it's actually a thing, but since my athletes said it was, I guess I celebrated with a little bit of junk food of my own. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 201]:~ The Darkness of Peace

~ :[CH5 - Day 201]:~ The Darkness of Peace

After a nice bonding practice, a little bit of wandering, completing some errands and a nice lunch meet up, I went home and felt exactly like JD. Even the smell of food as dinner time rolled around would not make me budge, as my body was asking for rest and so was my mind and soul. In some ways, that day of rest always brings with it some peace that interestingly enough found in darkness. As you close your eyes, you're surrounded by darkness, but find a way to peace. I think it is often said that in our darkest times, we are the most watched over and while some may not see it, I guess today's sleep was a good comparison to that. No, I am not in a period of darkness in my life, but something about this moment made me relate the two. I am hoping that those who are going through dark times know that there are always people you can turn to help you when you need it. Don't ever feel as if you're alone. While dreaming can easily turn into nightmares and accompany the darkness that surrounds you, in most occasions, that darkness that surrounds you, brings you peace and comfort. Yes, interestingly enough, the fatigue of walking and exploring caught up to me and the food did not awake me from this coma, but I wouldn't say this day was a waste at all. With enough food in my system and some great moments earlier in the day, my body, mind, and soul were comforted as I drifted away from reality into a world of peace and isolation. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 200]:~ Surf & Turf of a Day

~ :[CH5 - Day 200]:~ Surf & Turf of a Day

I expected a bit of recovery time on the day, but LA traffic definitely was not working in my favor. All around the city, the map was red. I thought I would be early to my appointment, but I ended up being half an hour late, sadly. It took an hour longer than it normally takes me to get to Santa Monica. Regardless, I made the most of my time seeing that the traffic was bad still. I wandered the pier and grabbed some delicious Japadogs. I love this place and definitely splurged when going there, as I had three different ones! *loosens belt* ... Regardless, after practice and the drive, I was pretty tired and hitting traffic on the way back was not ideal. I dragged through the same length of drive on the way home and instead of having an hour or two to rest before practice, I ended up going straight to afternoon practice. We headed to Turtle Rock and had pretty good traffic on the way and definitely on the way back. It was a nice run despite the heat and it was nice because our entire group ate ramen together. I was a little sad that we couldn't take everyone, but hopefully next time, we'll find enough people who can drive to make it work. Between the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica and the wonderful trails and landscapes of Irvine, it definitely was a land and sea adventure that I hope I'll have another chance to have. For the second day in the row, I am exhausted, but I can't say it wasn't worth it all. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 199]:~ The Enjoyment in Exhaustion

~ :[CH5 - Day 199]:~ The Enjoyment in Exhaustion

Sometimes a day can be like a plate of nachos. You realize how delicious it is but sometimes you really don't know what you're eating until you take a closer look. The day itself was such a mix of things that it felt just like that and by the end I was exhausted. I couldn't keep my eyes open and ended up just sleeping early. After a good practice, we lifted and then a small group of us headed to Buena Park, grabbed lunch, then over to Fullerton. After walking around for a few hours, everyone left and I headed to Tpumps. Traffic wasn't great on the way home, so I took side streets from Pasadena. From Pasadena it was back to the OC, as I hit up California Adventure. The original plan was to go into Disneyland, but the lobster nachos were appealing. There is something about these that keeps you coming back and I love them every time. We were able to hit up a few rides including Toy Story, Little Mermaid to see Aprille, and finished off the evening with Mater! Overall, it was such a weird mix of things to do and I went all over the map, but it was definitely a nice mix that at the end of the day I could smile and enjoy. I am exhausted, but it was worth every bit of fatigue.

~ :[CH5 - Day 198]:~ Tradition

~ :[CH5 - Day 198]:~ Tradition

Recovery is always necessary around this time. After prepping and cleaning, I was able to relax and just sit back for the morning. It is nice to get things put away and things in order after running around. Of course, I ended up going outside quickly thereafter. I ended up going to the Fullerton Arboretum and the surrounding areas for the afternoon. It was a little warm, but nice to walk around. We ended up running into a number of people we knew, which is always a nice plus. I ended up at the Obon Festival at OCBC. I love seeing everyone dance and even those who do not know the dance giving it a try. Sadly, the food sold out early and so I didn't get to enjoy all the great food there, but still it was nice to just wander around for a bit. I ended up at Central Park before stopping off at TapEx, unfortunately, I did not have one of my gazillion gift cards with me. Oh well! I still enjoyed the drink and the entire day, which started off without any plans except for ending up at the obon eventually. I love days that end up being so full of good times and hope that there are many of those this week! 

~:[CH5 - Day 197]:~On Display

~:[CH5 - Day 197]:~On Display

After a short morning practice, I ran some errands and stopped in Long Beach to just wander along the waterfront. It was a great way to relax before the craziness of the day. As I ventured home, I got to work and cleaned and prepped meals. It felt good to have a clean room and to finish getting ready early. I ended up working on making an avocado rose and while I made a smaller rose, it still came out alright. The dish itself always goes fairly quickly and when looking at the packed table, I was amazed that we always cleared it off by night's end. As while all the dishes tasted so good, the best treat of the night were all the friends and family that showed up. It's hard because as a host, you want to greet and talk to everyone, yet also talk to people in detail, however, it's almost impossible to do and you always end up feeling bad for not talking to everyone for as long as you may have wanted. In the end though, I talked to a decent amount of people throughout the night and it left me exhausted. It really helped me see even more how amazing my friends and family are and how blessed I am to have such amazing people around me. Exhausted as I am, I am glad that it all worked out and now I can get to bed and rest for the evening, as I am pooped. Thank you again to all the amazing people around me, as without you, I know not of where I would be today. As while the main dish always gets the attention, it's always important to see everything on the plate to truly understand what makes something special and if you look closely enough, it's not the main dish that shines the most, as it is the fine garnish that highlights the beauty of it all. 

~:[CH5 - Day 196]:~Weight a Minute

~:[CH5 - Day 196]:~Weight a Minute

Game day Friday arrived and it was time to play Footsoccer (aka Foccer). I always love to play our original and traditional game. Even with smaller numbers, it still can be a pretty good day. After practice and a weight workout, we searched the area for Pokemon, including Charmander Park. After walking around for awhile, I was able to relax a bit at TapEx, before heading home to get a few things together before movie night. Our summer potluck is our first in awhile and it had a pretty good turnout. With two movies on slate, we also had the Wii going, along with a load of food. The night finished with a stop at Central and the Cha2o plaza before calling it a night. It was the end to the week and it was a pretty good one, but loaded with a lot of different activities. I still have a lot to catch up on and hopefully I can do that all on Sunday! 

~:[CH5 - Day 195]:~To The Peaks

~:[CH5 - Day 195]:~To The Peaks

The sun was setting in the late afternoon as the last of our runners came to the loop. I snapped a photo and ended up with a great photo in the end. It was definitely a day of exercising as I jogged a bit here, lifted a bit there, and met people as I walked around in various places. It actually was quite interesting and maybe it was a little bit of "nerd talk." Regardless if it is or is not, it was definitely a great day as we had a good time trial, a great brunch catch up, an over two hour hike, afternoon practice and finally a great dinner ... all together. It was an exhausting day, but the day was well wroth all the time and energy spent. As I sit here writing my journal, my eye lids are heavier just as I'ma bout to go to sleep. As soon, the pages ahead will be left plank and my only hope is that eventually there will be many more stories among these blank pages that still have yet to be written. http://wutanabe.blogspot.com/2016/07/ch5-day-1945to-peaks.html 

~:[CH5 - Day 194]:~ What We Can Find

~:[CH5 - Day 194]:~ What We Can Find

It was scavenger hunt day, as our team ran around the city looking for various landmarks and trying to complete their "mission." The scavenger hunt's main purpose is to get these groups to meet each other and bond. It's always fun to watch the teams go on their way and to see who will end up navigating through everything first. In the end, who comes in first and who comes in last matters much less than the time they get to spend together. It's interesting that if we look at this world today, we can discover many things about it. Right now, people might believe that the world is full of Pokemon, EVERYWHERE. However, the reality of things is that what we find in each and everyone of our days is up to us. Craig Sager was recognized with the Jimmy V Perseverence Award at the ESPYs, It is tough as he has battled leukemia, which has taken a lot out of him, yet, he has not let it defeat him. One of his main messages in his speech though was that no matter how much time we have on this earth, it is our job to keep a positive outlook at make the most out of the moments that we have. While negativity and the like may surround us and all hope may be lost, we cannot allow that to prevent us from living our lives to the fullest, no matter the diagnosis we are given. It was a very touching speech and anyone with time, I encourage you to catch it, however, I think it's a good lesson for us all. That while we may not be suffering from a life threatening disease, it is our job to make the most of our moments here on earth and keep a positive mindset. Life is too short for us to complain, to look down on things, etc. and so we should really focus on all the beauty we can find on this planet, as there is enough of it for all of us to share. 

~:[CH5 - Day 193]:~ When You Love What You Do

~:[CH5 - Day 193]:~ When You Love What You Do

Going to practice is a breath of fresh air. Sometimes, it can be frustrating, but at the end of the day, all the stress is worth it. I'm not sure if people truly understand how much time some of these athletes put in and while sometimes they are the one that get the most criticism, they often reap the benefits of the work that they put in. While summer could be a lot more stress free, it also is a lot more adventurous because of the sport and it is nice to get out and explore together. By the end of the day, after adventuring outside during the day and running along the trail in the afternoon, I was definitely pooped, but I wouldn't exchange it for anything in the world. As while I told the team, if there isn't a strong dedicated core, I will retire, the team has definitely responded and for the time being, I don't see myself anywhere else on a summer's morning. 

~:[CH5 - Day 192]:~ Gathering Together

~:[CH5 - Day 192]:~ Gathering Together

It's always nice when people gather together. I guess sometimes, much like turtles, basking in the sun and sun bathing is good enough to be considered a good social life. It's fun to watch people gather at parks that were once unfilled and to sit around and lounge around together with their phone in hand ready to click. There are more people walking about, more people trying to organize themselves together, and interestingly enough, they can do it without spending a dime (aside from their increased electricity bill). For cross country, we were able to gather together for a number of reasons ... we ran our first long day, we hit the weights, we celebrated the return of an alumni over breakfast, we enjoyed the "free"dom of 7-11 day, we wandered around Heritage, and I caught up with another alumni before being able to get back to some of the work I needed to get to. As I thought about the bales of turtles that floated around while others sun bathed and thought, maybe life is just about being together, in conversation or in silence. As I wrote back to my friend, I kept thinking, with distance, we are still able to connect then can't we also connect in silence. I think back to the days that I actually had a turtle show up in my front lawn. Every day, I would talk to the turtle and feed it worms that I began to grow in a pot. The turtle seemed to love the worms and I loved the company of the turtle. We couldn't communicated, but much like other pets, there was some level of comfort of the turtle just being there and knowing I could be there for the turtle. As the night grew old, I laid out in the back, then headed out for a walk in the brisk evening, this time in solitude. I ended up at my cousins house and quickly caught up, before retreating to my humble abode. The questions still weighing on my mind, at the end of the day, all I could do was smile as I thought about the turtles in the ponds at Heritage. They seemed to enjoy their time and whether it is a beach side resort or a beach front property, together, they'll enjoy this moment and many moments that lie ahead.

~:[CH5 - Day 191]:~ To Write & Reflect

~:[CH5 - Day 191]:~ To Write & Reflect

Someone once asked me, why do I blog? I think of the words of Billy Collins who writes, "The pen is an instrument of discovery rather than just a recording implement." I my blog, I began a discovery of myself and of the people, things and world around me. I found that in a combination of image and words, I could record my own history and thoughts and later come back to reflect on them, while also sharing it all with those around me. While sometimes my words become a reaction of those things around me, I've always used writing as my way to recharge, to find my inner peace, and to reconnect with my introverted self which most people do not understand. I am not social by nature. I rather sit at a beach, a park, or at home with a journal and just write, but I've forced myself out of my shell to connect with others. While I despise social media, there is a part of me that lures me to check it out, while still using my own to log a history of my own. In the process, it's been great to find others with the same struggle as it is with those that I connect the best. Those who can help see the world as I see it and who face the same obstacles on a daily basis whether others see it or not. Not all will understand and that is not something I care much about, as in this world, we are too quick to assume, to quick to judge and to quick to write a story that does not reflect the true story that may never be known. My recent adventures forced me out of my shell again, but the experiences I internalized will forever remain with me and my pen. Whether or not the pen ever records the many wonderful experiences I had during my journeys, both past and present, I am not sure; however, what I am sure of is that what I write will continue to be a discovery of myself. For where I go, who I find, and what I will learn from here on out will be unknown, but all I know is that the road will be full of opportunities to discover if I keep my eyes up, ready to absorb all that is available to me. 

~:[CH5 - Day 190]:~ Wave After Wave

~:[CH5 - Day 190]:~ Wave After Wave

My alarm went off early again. I haven't really known what day it is since I've been back, but today was Saturday. A day of rest? I think not. As I ventured out the door, it would be one of running along the sands of Sunset Beach and Bolsa Chica. We started at pier 28 and worked our way down the beach towards Huntington and the group made it through the soft sand, for many, their first along this path. It was great to see the start of a new season and as they played in the water at the end of practice, it was great to see them enjoy their day. After grabbing brunch, we headed on our way, We burned a little time at Heritage before I headed to the gym with TNT to watch the boys varsity basketball team come back from their deficit against Mountain View and pull away with a great victory. I later ended up heading back out to Pasadena to help a friend move in before driving to Garden Grove for dinner and some adventuring. My body was pretty tired and exhausted, but much like the waves, I kept pushing and coming ashore. As someone else shared some difficult news this evening, it made me think of how precious our time together and time on this earth is. We never know what the challenges that face us tomorrow will be, so we must make the most of ever moment we share today. It's so easy to assume that you'll see someone tomorrow, that your kind words, your hellos, your goodbyes, your hugs, your kisses, and the like can wait, but we really cannot allow it. As I wandered the sands of Bolsa Chica, the streets of Pasadena, and around Mile Square Park, I was tired, but much like the waves, I kept flowing through the day, as I did not know when my last wave goodbye would be; it could be today or it could be in 80 years from now. To a friend, I send my deepest sympathies to you and your family. however, it seems as if the life of one lost too soon was a joyous one and one to be remembered. To all others, let's make sure our last wave goodbye is the way that we hope it will be. 

~:[CH5 - Day 189]:~ See It Bloom

~:[CH5 - Day 189]:~ See It Bloom

The beauty around us is not always evident. From being able to take a breath of fresh air or something as simple as waking up in the morning, there is a lot to appreciate in this world that we should never take for granted. As with each passing moment and each passing day, we never know what the next will bring, if anything at all. As I ventured through the day of practice, weights, and brunch, I felt a bit of that special feel to the day that sometimes I overlooked. The excitement of a first day of practice, the fun of running around the field, and the time spent together. As I ventured further, to a rewarding double stop at Tpumps and the Huntington Library, I noticed the dragon flies, the bees, and the lizards, tucked away in the flowers, trees and in the rocks. Each adding its own beauty to the surrounding areas. As while some places may not seem so exciting and relevant, if we care for things enough, we will find the opportunity to see it bloom into something wonderful. Our world has become a place that has sunken deeper and deeper into darkness and while the darkness has in some way or another consumed us, we must find a way to begin the long process of taking care of our plot day after day and using this common journey as a way to open communication with others. As while we may not see "instant gratification" or immediate change, the more time, attention and care we can put into our plot (and helping others with theirs), the more bountiful our plots will become. As while the darkness may consume us, even a little bit of light can begin to open the door for new life. While maybe not tomorrow, next week, next month, or even next year, day-by-day, we must begin the process of helping our world bloom, as its beauty is awaiting to be seen, as it can become a centerpiece for a world that needs its beauty to radiate to all corners of the world. There is hope, but in that hope, there is a lot of work left to do in order to make that hope become something greater. Never lose sight that in this plain plot of soil, we can make something beautiful bloom, but we all must make the effort and we must all understand it will take some time. 

~:[CH5 - Day 188]:~ Back in the Habit (Almost)

~:[CH5 - Day 188]:~ Back in the Habit (Almost)

It was an early rise for practice, as it was time to get back in the habit, well almost. We had a solid showing at our first practice and a good number of potential athletes and athletes that are definitely ohana material. While it will take a little bit of time to get them meshed into the program, it was definitely a great start. As while I had a lot I wanted to do on the day, my body asked for some time off, which I obliged. While I wanted to hit TapEx at opening at 11am, I ended up sleeping until dinner (my first meal back) and then venturing to TapEx. As I sat at the TC, I noticed how the Pokemon Go revolution has taken over people. It's great that people will be out and about, but also hope that people do not lose the opportunity to make connections with others as they seek out the Pokemon around the cities. The evening called for some laundry, unpacking and trying to get back into the routine that I have missed since being away. While the summer is one that has a lot of different things going on, I surely hope that I can find myself getting used to the schedule that I have had for the summer. With a great home-cooked dinner and TapEx in my system, I'm ready for what home has in store for me. Let's just hope I am able to wake up for practice in the morning. 

~:[CH5 - Day 187]:~ The World is Your Oyster

~:[CH5 - Day 187]:~ The World is Your Oyster

It took me a little time to recover from one of the longest days of my life. As I woke up at 4:30am in Hanoi, my "day" would not end until about midnight in Cerritos, which resulted in an amazing 34 hour day. For those who wish that you had more hours in a day, I guess that may be the best way to accomplish that feat. As I left Hanoi, I left wishing I had more time to explore, as the storm and lack of data, kept me from venturing too far. However, as I sat in my room high above the city, I reflected on this amazing journey that left me exhausted, yet thankful for every moment of the trip. As while I have visited Tokyo before, I was able to venture to Kyoto, Miyagi, and Mt. Fuji, where I caught up with friends both new and old, who made the adventure so grand. Reaching the peak of Mt. Fuji was a culmination of my time in Japan, as the struggle to the top was well worth the indescribable feeling of seeing the world from a new perspective. The crazy streets of Manila were pacified by the kind guidance of an old friend who helped me reconnect to my past. With it being so many years since our last encounter, he kindness and selflessness has never changed. The same caring smile radiated from her face, as she showed me so much in such a short amount of time and even better, allowed me to reconnect with her and to make a new friend as well. As I ventured to Chiang Mai, we were greeted by two wonderful guides who were so welcoming and who I enjoyed the company of so much, hoping that our paths would cross again. As the main purpose of my trip though, no part of the trip could be topped by the opportunity to spend time with my sponsor child and her family. To be with them and enjoy the trip with them and the wonderful people from Compassion, was something I will never forget and the moment with them is what made the trip. Sadly, the day went by too quickly, but those moments I will cherish for a lifetime. As soon as they began their journey back home, a new stop into the unknown brought great surprises in Myanmar. Our guide and driver provided another blessing to our trip, as they showed their kindness as well as the beauty of the people and country of Myanmar. I was sad that more time was not spent in Myanmar, however, I am grateful for the ability to see the local experience with their help. As I ventured back to Bangkok, I was reconnected with a guide I had before who once again showed why she is so amazing. On our journey through Bangkok, she introduced us to a small cafe, where we met two wonderful people at the Sixth. I was so impressed by the experience there and it will be one moment that I will remember. While the weather tried to slow down the experience, it did not stop me from further exploring the city of Bangkok, which included a stop high above the city with my friends who joined me from Japan. It was nice to spend some time with them on my final night before heading off to Hanoi. As I landed in Tokyo, I had my final opportunity to enjoy the last moments of the trip. With a few obstacles that kept me from meeting some friends, I met up with a former student researching in Tokyo. After a quick stop at Yoshinoya and enjoying life in Ginza, I met him for dinner at a famous tempura restaurant. It was a good choice and glad things worked out the way it did as we got to catch up before heading our separate ways. I slept the entire way from Tokyo to Los Angeles, which surprisingly took under ten hours. As I walked through customs and stepped out into the madness of LAX, I smiled, knowing that I explored more of the world, even places, I wasn't sure I'd ever be. As I finished the night with Korean BBQ at Road to Seoul, maybe my fortune teller was right, that I should end my journey in Korea. While I ended up in a Korean restaurant in Los Angeles, rather than in Korea itself, I still knew that I have grown a lot from this trip and learned a lot more than a book or the Internet could ever teach me. With my bag of coins and currency saved from each of the places I visited, I hope that one day, I will return to meet all the amazing people I met along the way, whether I visit them again or they come to visit me, I am glad that our paths crossed. As while there is so much wrong with the world we live in today, it is in our abilities to open up our ears, our eyes and our hearts to those around us who we see as so different, to truly understand that we have so much to share, so much to learn, and so much room to grow when we connect with each other. As while the world may seem like a hard rock, if we are persistent enough and patient enough to find its beauty, the hard shell will one day open up to present us the beautiful pearl that is available to us all. 

~:[CH5 - Day 186]:~ The Final Leg

~:[CH5 - Day 186]:~ The Final Leg

The final leg of the trip finally arrived and did so with a great surprise. After having a relaxing morning before flying out, I hit the airport and headed to Hanoi. I realized that I should have learned to speak Vietnamese before I left as there is very little English spoken in Hanoi. The weather also wasn't so nice, as it was pouring outside. Of course, when I walked into my room, I knew I'd have a relaxing day in. The room at Lotte in Hanoi was incredible and it was also connected to a shopping mall, which made it even nicer. The shower was its own room and  the amount of open space in the room was pretty ridiculous. The service may have been a little over the top, as there was no waiting despite the reception desk being filled, a lady came up with me to check me in, my bags were dropped off, and someone brought a welcome treat to my room and later on that night, water. I ended up grabbing pho for dinner (go figure) and enjoyed it thoroughly and also was able to complete my goal of a Pepsi everywhere I've gone. As I relaxed, it was nice to just reflect on the trip and chat away as I looked over Hanoi, fifty floors above the city as the rain came down. With an early airport trip, I headed to bed early comfortably in the room, appreciating all the great moments on this wonderful trip. 

~:[CH5 - Day 185]:~ The Freedom to Roam

~:[CH5 - Day 185]:~ The Freedom to Roam

I was a little sad in the morning for two reasons; one, I had to be downstairs by 4:30am and the second was because it was the 4th of July and I wasn't going to be home to celebrate. One of my favorite things to do is to roam the streets and watch the fireworks light up the sky and in the morning when I'm headed to Hanoi, the fireworks will fly high all around. Our adventure in the morning took us all the way out to Kanchanaburi. The rain was looming overhead but held off as we were able to see the elephants room and play around with them. It's nice to see them without a seat on their back, as you can tell how free they look as they roam without it on and boy, do they love to eat. After playing with them on land and water, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed over to a Safari Park. I got to feed a baby lion and then drive through the park, two things I didn't realize were going to happen on this trek. I also didn't realize that when our guide said you'd get up close to the giraffes that I'd actually have a giraffe come into the bus, but it was really great to see them that close for that long of a period of time. We headed back to Bangkok and got some rest before we explored the city for one last night. As we ventured to the top of Zen, we were in amazement of being able to eat while overseeing the city. For a normally priced meal in Los Angeles, we ate at a fancy and overpriced establishment in Bangkok to say goodbye to the city. While I passed out earlier than I had hoped, it was definitely a great way to end my last full day in a city on the trip. My last two stops on the way home will be very quick and while I'll do my best to make the most of them, I'd say that if I didn't do much going forward, that I enjoyed the freedom in roaming all these countries trying to find all the great things these places have to offer, eating my way through, much like this beautiful creature, the elephant. 

~:[CH5 - Day 184]:~ The Beauty in the Corner

~:[CH5 - Day 184]:~ The Beauty in the Corner

Sometimes some of the most interesting sights are not the most promoted. Sometimes there is a beauty in the corner that is just waiting to be discovered as the most promoted things aren't always the best things. Today was trying to find those things. After yesterday's wonderful discovery, I tried again for what I could find. In the morning, in a farewell breakfast, we found a little breakfast place that must have some connection with the Japanese, as it was filled with Japanese tourists. The dishes were pretty good and I was pretty glad we settled on this place. After resting up a bit, my local friend came and guided me to an Italian place hidden in a corner nearby my hotel. I thought the decor was nice, with the family of the owners having some connection with the arts. The food was pretty solid, as I was able to get squid ink pasta, which I quickly finished. As I said goodbye to my friend, my friends from Tokyo just arrived at the hotel. It was great running into them and this last segment of the journey was just about to begin. After a quick rest, we met up and walked around the city to explore. I was able to see a lot of the shopping areas, the little stands, a night market and more. It was pretty cool to be able to get a little bit of everything, as we navigated through the sky train. It's been getting a little bit easier to navigate. As the night was coming to a close, we chatted away through the end of the night, knowing that in just a short while, we would be going back on our separate ways. However, regardless of how quickly that time approaches, I will be glad that we all got to discover something beautiful hidden within this traffic-pack city. 

~:[CH5 - Day 183]:~ The Hidden Gems

~:[CH5 - Day 183]:~ The Hidden Gems

One of the best thing about touring various sites is that you come across hidden gems. Our tour guide Saifon, helped us find a number of hidden gems among the many places that we visited. She showed us the right angles and gave us all of her insights on places along with her funny comments throughout the day. When booking with Absolute Bangkok (absolutebangkoktour.com), I asked for her specifically because she made the tour extra fun and she really cared about us having a great time. She even made sure to confirm our reservations and reminded us of everything to make sure we knew what we should already know. Along the amazing tour of the temples and palace, she took us to a little area for lunch. We passed by a place called The Sixth, which has only been open for only a short while. It was a small little cafe that was carefully decorated and we later discovered that it was a shop and cafe in one. It's not an easy place to find, but well worth making the trek there, if not for the drinks or food (which is mostly curry), then for just seeing how beautifully laid out this place was and how nice this couple was. It was interesting that once we asked for a photo, the conversation began opening up and instead of paying for our bill at that moment, we ended up chatting for awhile, learning about each other and about the cafe and shop. I am wrote about it in my travel blog because I was so amazed by our experience there and loved how we all connected instantly because of their beautiful personalities. I definitely suggest this place as a break from the tourist-filled adventures when you're visiting the Grand Palace, Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). Our spirits were up because of this wonderful experience as we finished off the rest of our day, as we walked up to Wat Arun, discovered the canals, grabbed dinner at CoCo Ichibanya and finished the evening at the Asiatique area. Saifon was also a hidden gem for us as she showed why she is one of my favorites! Off-the-clok, in order to save us some money and headaches, she accompanied us all the way from our hotel to the Asiatique area and even walked us all the way into our show. I was so impressed by her again and am definitely encouraging anyone looking for tours in Bangkok to use her and her company. At the end of the day, I wandered around Bangkok, but couldn't help but smile because of the wonderful people who made another simple day truly become a gem. 

~:[CH5 - Day 182]:~ Guided Through the Storm

~:[CH5 - Day 182]:~ Guided Through the Storm

I sit here in Bangkok exhausted after just making it to Terminal 21 for dinner before it closed. I keep thinking how we've been lucky enough to meet good people along the way through all the various countries. In a country we almost skipped because our visas came late and hoping that we had someone at the airport waiting to pick up, we found someone who loved his country and shared it with us with all of his heart. In our discussions, you could tell how much Nyi loved Myanmar and specifically Yangon. In all of his explanations he demonstrated his knowledge of the history of the country, taught us more about Buddhism, and showed us how the locals of the area lived. While I came in questioning how this leg of the trip would go, I left hoping that I would get a chance to return. While the exterior may not show the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, Hollywood, or Tokyo, it was in the interactions that we had that showed that this country is a hidden gem. There is a ways for the country to go to develop, but you must have a good foundation before you begin to build and this country has it, its people. One of the first things that Nyi explained to us was that the people of Yangon and Myanmar are nice and good people. As each day went by, it became more and more evident. Sure, the cars honk at every chance and navigating through the streets by food, bike, or by car is a bit challenging, once you get use to it, you see the beauty in it all. Yesterday I wrote about how amazing it was that people were so giving even when they may not have had much to give and that has been a big part of why I have thought of Myanmar as such a beautiful country. We were met with a storm that almost got us stuck in Yangon and ultimately, it delayed our plane one hour, however, with that and trying to deal with the ridiculousness that is Air Asia, I found an inner peace and happiness that calmed the storms that surrounded me. While I have been to many places and seen so many things, there is something special about Yangon that will resonate within me for some time. Yangon may be a difficult place to visit on your own for the first time, so I am so blessed that we had Nyi and (Neysor) to guide us through Yangon and show us all the hidden gems that existed within it. Thank you for teaching us so much about Myanmar and even how to become a local through the foods and the language.