~:[CH5 - Day 243]:~ How Full is the Glass?

~:[CH5 - Day 243]:~ How Full is the Glass?

People ask, do you see the glass as half full or half empty. Well what if you aren't able to tell. With a view from above, it could even seem completely full, but you may never really know. As I looked as this beautiful new fish bowl with this fish that is still alive, I wondered, just how full my glass was. I've been thinking a lot and you begin to wonder, how is your time best spent? Am I being impactful? What do I need to change and how must I adjust my time allocations? I'm the type of person who can do something barebones in many cases, especially when it's something I love. However, sometimes, factors just limit you and that's when you begin to think, maybe it is time. Times can change and with a new perspective, I may be able to see what the glass looks like, but for now, I still am wondering, pondering, and waiting to see what comes of it. It's a beautiful sight, but sometimes, there's only so much you can do before it's time for a bigger bowl. It will take a village to help me figure this all out, but for now, I am mesmerized by this view. My body is sore, my eyes are heavy, and my mind is exhausted, but tomorrow, I will wake up and get rolling, hoping, just hoping, that in the end, the village will finally see that there is much work to do if they want to see all of us prosper. It's too early to tell, but soon the limits of time will finally help me answer the question of "how full is this glass?"

~:[CH5 - Day 242]:~ Fun & Games

~:[CH5 - Day 242]:~ Fun & Games

Life is not always fun and games, but when it gives you an opportunity to enjoy it, then you should take it. While the start of school is never the most exciting, it's been a pretty smooth transition into the school year. I've enjoyed settling in and getting used to this new schedule. I made my way through the day and before I knew it, it was practice time. Due to the heat, we split our group up and completed our workouts. After practice, we had our annual kickoff at John's Incredible Pizza which is always a fun time. I love seeing the team come together and enjoy their food together and also the games. It's just great when they are around each other as much as possible, as that is when they truly get to grow together. I was exhausted by the time I got home and while I had a few things to do, I ended up leaving it for tomorrow. Not a good thing to do, but sometimes, you just let the day be about the fun and games. It doesn't hurt once or twice.

~:[CH5 - Day 241]:~ It's Just the Beginning

~:[CH5 - Day 241]:~ It's Just the Beginning

It was the first day of school and of course I had to go visit my best friend Jepsen. He didn't seem all too excited to see me, but oh well. It was definitely a strange kind of day as my schedule and routine was not normal. My periods were different, my seniors were in the middle of the day and my lunch break is completely off. I guess I need to get used to this schedule somehow. Regardless, I moved on and adjusted. My IAs were all over the place, but I ended up with one IA in each period, which made me happy. We had a lot of new faces in cross country today which tends to happen this first week of school. I hope to see a lot more as we try to see where this program can head from here. I got a nice surprise when our MUN program was blessed with the recognition of being one of the top 25 in North America. I'm very glad that all of our students are recognized with this, as we try to get them to focus on learning, the growth, and the true meaning behind MUN, rather than doing whatever necessary to win awards. Sure, we get students who take that approach, but at the end of the day, we have a pretty good core of students who have built a solid reputation for our school, which makes my job a joy to come to every day. They impress me all the time! By the time I got home it was almost 8pm and I got to work on the Cow Run. I had to track down people to try to recruit workers and I am getting closer to get my volunteer grid filled. I am almost done with all the prep work and soon enough, I'll be able to relax and breathe and enjoy this season. The countdown beings as while the beginning of school is important, my focus all is on getting through Saturday. 

~:[CH5 - Day 240]:~ Saying Goodbye to the Summer

~:[CH5 - Day 240]:~ Saying Goodbye to the Summer

There was a bit of exhaustion that overcame me so I closed my eyes to sleep. It wasn't a long sleep, but just long enough. That's kind of how the summer was. It didn't feel long, but probably just long enough. When I wake up tomorrow, I will be working and it will be a number of months before I can say it's time for summer again. As while it's a sad moment, it also has it's perks. First, I'm lucky to have a summer at all. Secondly, I'm glad to say I did all that I did this summer. While I have a number of things to take care of, the start of the school year will be pristine and in the darkness of it all, there are a things that will light up the skyline and a light that will guide my way. I could have done more with my last day of summer, but I was just fine laying down to rest before I begin my nine month marathon.

~:[CH5 - Day 239]:~ Missing Out

~:[CH5 - Day 239]:~ Missing Out

Sometimes you know you're definitely missing out. After morning practice in PV and lunch, I wasn't feeling great so I took a nap and tried to rest. Even after that, I knew I wasn't feeling good enough to head out to Joshua Tree. I was so sad because I was torn. I wanted to go so bad and didn't to bail, but felt that it would be 24 hours of misery for my mind and body the way I was feeling. In the end, I know I missed out. I haven't heard of the experiences and stories, but I know it's going to be a great trip. Instead, I slept, relaxed, did a little work when I should have been driving. I grabbed dinner with Kendall and later walked around the Pike with Chao and a mob of others. I fel the exhaustion in my body as I walked and had to sit a few times. It made me glad that while I missed out, I made a good decision. Sure, I probably could have stayed home a bit longer, but I got a little bit of play time and a lot more rest and work time. I soaked in the beauty of Long Beach and while I missed out on a sky full of stars and galaxies, I still tried to make the most of the energy and time that I had. I feel so beat right now and tomorrow's rest will back up my decision, however, it even though it may have been the right decision, sometimes, you'll also be conflicted even after the decision is long gone. 

~:[CH5 - Day 238]:~ Something Different

~:[CH5 - Day 238]:~ Something Different

We normally have an end of the summer bonfire, yet we tried something old but new. With the help of an alumni (Chao), we had a park day at Sunshine and potluck at the Nishis with an added celebration of Mama Nishis and Allys birthday. At first I thought it was going to be a small turnout, but then it grew and we had a good mass of people that ended up showing up. Our program is so blessed to have a family like the Nishis to have come across us, as we would not be able to do many of things we do without them. Because of them, the day turned out wonderful, as with a combination of games, pool, park, food and more, it ended up being a different type of event. It was definitely a nice way to relax after a long day at work, as I tried to get everything settled and organized for the upcoming school year. It's been a little crazy, but I think I am pretty close to being ready for things to begin. I ended the night wandering around Santa Monica and while I had two blisters on my feet from playing basketball, wandering around felt so good. I was tired and felt the exhaustion, but still soaking in all around me. This whole summer has been a little different, but sometimes you just need to embrace it all in hopes that it will all work out in the end.

~:[CH5 - Day 237]:~ The First

~:[CH5 - Day 237]:~ The First

It was the first day back to work and while we didn't have students, it was still pretty exhausting. Our meeting was long and I had a lot of work to do in order to get everything in order. I got through most of what I needed to do before heading out to Costco and Smart & Final to do some returns from Mammoth. I headed to Gahr and had some pleasant surprises. We did pretty well with 26 of 35 setting new PRs. We did have some races that could have gone better, however, in the end, I was very happy with how we did. We finished the night off at Korean BBQ and while my stomach will definitely be upset later on, it was all worth it in the end.

~:[CH5 - Day 236]:~ The Last Day of Summer

~:[CH5 - Day 236]:~ The Last Day of Summer

It was the last day of summer for me. After working through the morning, I headed to practice, which ended up being a food run day. All the adoptees got free boba for the day, so we did our best to make sure that everyone was adopted. After stopping home for dinner, I ventured out to Santa Monica to get in one last adventure for the summer. It ended up being a good one. Once we arrived, there was chaos as everyone ran to the beach. It was a Dragonite! Having one already, there wasn't a lot of pressure on me, but it was fun to catch one instead of just evolving it. It was nice just wandering around on the pier though. It isn't always about the hunt, but also about the interaction with people and going out to place more often than you normally would. I got home late so I went to rest right when I got home to get ready for my first day back to work. It's been a pretty eventful summer and while I wish there was another month, I am happy to also have more structure in my life. 

~:[CH5 - Day 235]:~ Fresh Out of the Gates

~:[CH5 - Day 235]:~ Fresh Out of the Gates

It felt as if work had started again. My alarm kept going off and I had to be at school by 8am. Why? We missed frosh orientation and so we recruited at freshman registration. At first, it was very slow, but things did pick up later on in the day. It was nice to spend the day back at school as while I wish break was longer, it was nice being back. It was a little weird with long breaks in the middle, but we got used it and allowed me to get lunch for the workers. We met a number of new freshmen and eventually it was time for us to move textbooks. Every year our team works in the library and moves the school's text books to the floor. We finished in just about an hour! Since we finished early, we met with the athletes still recruiting and helped them out. We ended with a solid list of freshmen to call. Practice went smoothly and we stayed late in the weight room again. I ended up at the bowling alley and after starting off poorly, started to get back on track, but never really had a good game. Regardless, it was fun bowling and despite all the work that went into the day, it was nice to be productive. 

~:[CH5 - Day 234]:~ The Sun Setting on Summer

~:[CH5 - Day 234]:~ The Sun Setting on Summer

It was our first practice back since Mammoth and after a day of getting work done including e-mails, t-shirts and more, I headed to practice and van supported to try and avoid any catostrophic issues. I'm glad I did. The scheduled route was not as shady as it could have been, but the team managed and did a pretty good job along the route. This year's team has had a growing number of people taking on the longer runs, especially on the girls side. While not always successful, they are definitely going after it. After finishing up a long workout, we had a few athletes who hung around in the weight room, trying to get back into the swing of things. I felt the fatigue through my body and while it was still early, I found myself on the floor of my house, exhausted. I guess I really did a lot, but in the end, it was nice to realize that I had finished most of the work that I had set out to do on the day.

~:[CH5 - Day 233]:~ Somethings Are Best Left Unplanned

~:[CH5 - Day 233]:~ Somethings Are Best Left Unplanned

After cleaning up a bit more and straightening things out, I headed out to grab lunch, We started at different locations and finally coordinated enough to end up at the same place. We decided to head to the towne center after to work on some After Effects projects, but since the Internet was struggling, we ended up at the Pike instead. We wandered around and enjoyed the area before heading back home. It was nice to be back home and always nice to find an unplanned adventure in the process. I got an unexpected call and wonderful surprise, a free carwash. I was grateful to be on the receiving end of such a kind gesture and it definitely made my day. I headed home to eat and just when I thought my day was done, I ended up at Afters before heading back to the Pike. Things got a little too crazy after walking around, so I headed home and found my place in my bed to relax. It was a long day and while nothing was planned, it definitely ended up being one to remember.

~:[CH5 - Day 232]:~ The Final Trail

~:[CH5 - Day 232]:~ The Final Trail

It wasn't easy waking up on the final day of Mammoth, but I dragged myself out of bed and met with those who wanted to get a final run in. The Mammoth Creek Trail is always a beautiful run, although, it is a little difficult to navigate and has some uneven surfaces. It was peaceful walking through the meadow, as I enjoyed my last moments of relaxation in the mountains. As stressful as the week is, it's nice to be away and in more of a natural environment. I love to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy a place void of the the craziness of the city and suburbs. After packing up, we headed down the hill and had a very smooth ride all the way back home. There was a stretch of traffic to remind us we were back in the city, but nonetheless, it was nice to be home. After a wonderful final dinner with the counselors, it was time to go home. I sorted through a few things and began the unpacking process, but most of it would need to be saved until tomorrow, as fatigue set in. It was the end of this year's camp and looking back at it, it was a great one. From great counselors to atheltes who put in the effort and made it fun, it was definitely a week to remember. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 231]:~ Out of the Shadows

~:[CH5 - Day 231]:~ Out of the Shadows
The full moon was out as we stood over the lake looking at its reflection. Looking back at the day, it was one to remember. The morning was spent scaling the trail to Laurel Lakes. It's always grueling and you never really know if you're going to make it. Luckily, I did and so did the group that went with me. After a little adventure at the Ascent, we ate brunch and rested until dinner. The fireless campfire is always fun and between the singing and the videos, it's always able to put a smile on my face. We ventured on our senior hike and this year, while 13 is often considered unlucky, we were lucky to have some great moments that I can carry with me going forward. This week has been awesome and with one day left, I hope we can finish the day strong. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 230]:~ We Are Ohana

~ :[CH5 - Day 230]:~ We Are Ohana

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the competition of the sport, but then I think about the ohana and am constantly reminded about what it is truly about. It was hard to be in Mammoth today, as I have been able to visit Regina every year since she passed. I missed talking to her today and reflecting on the past, but at least I got to talk to the team about her and how the ohana was formed. I think it's easy to take for granted the importance of ohana for those who have little connection to the past, however, I think it is more easily understood when we talk about it at our team meetings at camps. It was especially hard to talk about it today as it was one that I was constantly reminded of her through all the camp activities. When all the athletes were in their meetings and the counselors at their dinner, I got to sit alone to think about it in the most tranquil environment I've been in in quite some time. As much stress and worry as this job entails, I remember all of the athletes, the alumni, the coaches, the counselors, the parents and all those who had a part in making this program what it is today and those who helped keep it together. While people come and go, the connection we have cannot be erased and as far as they may go, they always will have a place here with this ohana. The games ran long, confusion was again a norm, and the competition got a little fierce, but in the end, we came together as ohana and by the end of tonight, hopefully, they'll truly understand that this is more than a team or program and saying ohana at the end of practice is more than just something we do. It is a reminder that we must strive to be better, to give our very best, to soak in the opportunities we have, to live every day as it may be our last, to never leave things until tomorrow and to always smile, as this world is a beautiful place. The world lost a gem, but her light shines year after year and a new generation of runners were introduced to her today, on the anniversary that we lost her. No, it will probably never get any easier, as many of those who lost someone may know, but knowing that she lives on in the lives of so many is something that comforts me and keeps me pushing on. It keeps me striving to be a better person, as I am always reminded that we are capable of so much more, especially when we have a group of people as special as an ohana around us, that continues to grow year after year. We still have a lot of work to do before they truly exemplify what we are looking for, but today was a good start. We are Cerritos Cross Country. We are ohana. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 229]:~ Views from Above

~ :[CH5 - Day 229]:~ Views from Above

The ridge run is always one of my favorites and we got out early to run it. I made it out pretty far on the ridge and got out to my favorite spot to take pictures. I grabbed a shot of a few of our counselors and when I think about not having all of these MVPs (the ones shown and the ones not as well), I just cringe. From driving to cooking to helping with the athletes, they are the pieces that make the camp run. As I ran down the ridge, I thought of everyone as the parts of a car. While most people think of the engine, the car wouldn't work without all the small vital components that keep it going. Even something as small as a spark plug could pull it into disarray. This camp and this program would be nothing without all the support we receive and I am forever grateful to everyone who has contributed, whether I have told you or not. We ventured through our day, heading to the park for camp comps and then headed down to Bishop to eat dinner and bowl. It has been such a great time and as I sit here  late at night boiling potatoes (I never want to see a potato again), I still can smile because it's been easy to enjoy the view of this camp and also life. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 228]:~ A Leap of Faith

~ :[CH5 - Day 228]:~ A Leap of Faith

We woke up early in the morning and headed to Arrowhead Lake. The hike is always a bit challenging, but once you get to the top, it's a nice way back down to the lake. The lake level was nice so we ended up jumping into the lake and had a pretty good morning. We wandered back to the condos for a restful afternoon before heading up Eagle's Landing for the afternoon workout which always is a tough workout. We finished up the evening with some competitions including a food competition where each condo cooked a dish from their assigned cuisines. All in all, it was a great day and while I'm so tired, it's great to be able to get out in nature and enjoy the scenery. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 227]:~ Growing

~ :[CH5 - Day 227]:~ Growing 

What's always nice about camp and moving from season to season is when you see athletes grow. Through the first two days, I've already seen athletes grow. After a fairly good run at Convict Lake despite a few falls, the workout was great and I even got to see my BFF Jepsen! Our breakfast was creative with three different types of potatoes and bacons. We also had a good day at the golf range, clinic, and then afternoon run with another clinic. Our dinner was fun with the counselors getting in on the chicken action with this year having a sauce challenge. With the fried chicken, they had the athletes vote on their favorite. Separately, I made strawberry chicken and running out of sauce, I whipped up a basic version of the saltado, which came out very good. While the skits were so-so, we ended with a fun game and our skit finished with a surprise happy birthday song for Melody! [Happy Birthday!!] We finished the night up making sandwiches and playing playing around before calling it a night, however, we definitely have shown growth both individual and as a group. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 226]:~ A Totally Stuffed Day

~ :[CH5 - Day 226]:~ A Totally Stuffed Day

I knew it was going to be a long day and it was. We headed out at 6:30am and worked our way towards Mammoth. We had a pretty smooth ride and despite all the components that go into planning, it all came together. It's wonderful to realize how wonderful of a group you have around you that can help pull everything together and can do things without a single instruction. It's such a relief not to have to micromanage and that is because of so many great people! I am truly blessed. We had a great run and dinner came together very nicely with some special touches of homemade garlic bread and croutons as we fed and army and more and covered all the various dietary variations. In the end, as exhausted as I am right now, I am happy to be here and can't wait to being the trip, rather than worry about all the logistics of getting here. Soon I'll realize what I'm missing, but for now, I'm happy that I am here. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 225]:~ You've Got to "Prey"

~ :[CH5 - Day 225]:~ You've Got to "Prey"

We had practice in the AM and so I headed out and got through it before eating Pho! It was a good meal to power me through the day. We shopped for the second day and we were quick to get everything packed away. Only problem, Costco's cooler sales are seasonal, so we didn't have the extra cooler to pack, so we had to pick one up. It delayed us a bit, but I still had time to get all my shopping done, sorting done and organizing done. The time quickly rolled around to grab the vans and pack them up. We went late into the night and even had a friendly visitor come join us. As much as I love Mammoth, this process kills me. As I said yesterday, I just can't wait until I get there. Hopefully I didn't forget anything. If I did, oh well, there isn't anything I can do about it now. Here goes nothing!

~ :[CH5 - Day 224]:~ Just Plain Fun

~ :[CH5 - Day 224]:~ Just Plain Fun

It's just a watermelon and running, but it tends to get the athletes excited. In one of their favorite days of the year, the athletes got together to have some fun in the annual watermelon relay! Two melons got split this year so there was plenty to enjoy, however, it was this team that was victorious! It was a long day as right after practice, we headed to Costco to shop. I hate the preparation process for Mammoth and always cannot wait until we get there. After loading four flats with food, we finally finished up and checked out just before grabbing lunch at Costco. We unloaded and I spent the rest of the day getting things together for the trip and started my laundry. I stopped by Lucas' graduation party later that day and definitely had a blast! Congrats Lucas! Of course, Mammoth work called, so I headed back home to get a little more work done before getting some rest. I can't believe Mammoth is almost here and the school year is nearly complete. It went by too fast and I wish I could rewind time just a bit. However, since I cannot, I'll try my best to enjoy the time that I have. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 223]:~ Just a Little Burn

~ :[CH5 - Day 223]:~ Just a Little Burn

It was another crazy day. I was tired like crazy in the morning as we held time trial and I couldn't even stay awake after. I needed a nap and so I did. I rested a bit before getting to work on a number of things that I needed to do. It was nice to get that rest though because my body was rebelling a bit no matter how hard I tried to stay awake. I was thinking just how quickly this summer went and how much I need to do in the little time I have left. A little scary. As I prep for Mammoth in a few days, my mind is boggled with the list of things that need to be done still. Regardless, I am still surviving. After getting a few more things done, I headed to the race. We had a decent performance from a number of athletes, but I know we still have more in us. While not satisfied, I am glad how this group is continually pushing and striving to get better. It will pay off in the end. We headed to Red Robin afterward and I ate the ghost pepper burger again. It's pretty good, but nowhere near as hot as you might expect. I had some more work to do before I went to sleep, but I couldn't keep my eyes open, so I gave up and headed to bed. Hopefully, everything gets taken care of. For now, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

~ :[CH5 - Day 222]:~ It's the Summer, Why Not

~ :[CH5 - Day 222]:~ It's the Summer, Why Not

After a quick practice for those not biking, I headed to regional to meet the rest of the team for the ride. While we had a small group of 21 heading on the ride, it still was as great as the ones before. Every time we do this ride, I think about the first time that we did this trip way back when. We decided, let's go biking and so without a plan, we headed to Seal Beach and then turned around with each trip, going just a bit further until we hit the pier. This year, with the exception of one flat tire, it was quite uneventful in the van support department, which is always good. We did our normal Ruby's lunch then relaxed at the beach before heading home. Strangely enough, without even riding, there is always a sense of exhaustion that overtakes me. I tried to relax a bit before heading to the fair that evening, but as usual, time flew by too quickly. We hit up the fair and all its delectable eats. It was definitely good. From chili cheese fries to bacon wrapped pickles to pulled pork, tri tip, dole whip and more, it was a great evening. We took home a load of prizes and even got to catch the pig races before we headed home. I was tired when I got home and knew not how I would wake up the next day, but at least I enjoyed one of my last days of summer back at home. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 221]:~ Putting in the Work

~ :[CH5 - Day 221]:~ Putting in the Work

Some days, you just have to grind it out. You may be tired, but then you are able to get everything done in the amount of time that you have. Today was no different. After morning practice, I met up with my IAs and had a nice catch up with them over boba. While we weren't able to schedule a lunch, at least we got to meet up one last time as they begin their preparations for college. After, I met up with Eileen, as tomorrow, we were suppose to see Jae at the Day6 concert. With the unfortunate news of cancellation, we ate at one of Jae's favorite places and sent him photos. We got a little additional work done at the library before heading our separate ways, but realized that collaboration is not always that bad. I think we were able to make a lot of progress in the amount of time we had. I headed to afternoon practice after picking up our bikes for the ride tomorrow. Practice was a little challenging with the frisbee golf tournament going on, but we adapted and got in a tough workout. After dinner, while I could have called it a day, I wanted to take the chance to see the members of Jubilee Project one last time. I headed to the viewing party and while I missed the reels, at least I got to chat with a few people before I left. It was a bit awkward walking in so late, but in the end, as uncomfortable as it was, I was still glad I got out and at least stopped by to say hello. I was a bit exhausted by the end of the night, but when I looked back on the day, I was proud of the work that was accomplished and hope for many more productive days like this in the future.

~ :[CH5 - Day 220]:~ All Lined Up

~ :[CH5 - Day 220]:~ All Lined Up

The team did a pretty good job handling the long run for the day, as the sky stayed overcast throughout. As they got back to school, it started to warm up a bit. Looks like the weather gods were on our side today. We headed to the bowling alley after breakfast to enjoy CXCs annual bowling day! The competition was great, but being together was even greater. In the end, we had our three OVERALL victors who did an excellent job. Somehow, I started off with five strikes in six frames and while I messed up in the next frame, it was a solid game for not having bowled since last year (I think?). After running some errands, I grabbed dinner at Chipotle and was lucky enough to catch up with some people before heading off to Sender One. I think one of the greatest things about my time at Sender One is that I have been able to push myself along with getting a good workout in. When getting stuck in a spot on the wall, I haven't let myself quit, as I pushed myself up the facade of the wall to the top. I think it's definitely something that really helps develop the confidence of "I can" and hopefully will help me in other aspects in the future. This was the latest, I've been there as they shut the lights out on us just as this one guy was pulling some beast moves on a tough course. I got home sore and exhausted, but everything that has been put into this day will reap great rewards in the future. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 219]:~ Getting It Done

~ :[CH5 - Day 219]:~ Getting It Done

Sometimes you just need to focus in and get to work. Today was one of those days. I woke up and took my car in for service and got a nice walk in on the way home. I walked to Liberty, around the mall, then over to the TC before heading home. It was warm, but well worth it. When getting home, I got the paperwork I needed done completed, which took most of the day, but left me some time to watch the Olympics. I got a message that we would be having a farewell dinner for TNT and since I was eating at home, I ate quickly, then headed out to join them. It's a bit sad to see him leave, but I know that he has to also get everything completed. Since I got all my work done, I headed out to Santa Monica for the rest of the night and just enjoyed the sights and sounds of the pier. It was a very long day, but a productive one and I hope that there are many more of these to come.

~ :[CH5 - Day 218]:~ Unions

~ :[CH5 - Day 218]:~ Unions

It was overcast when I left, but sunny and hot during the ceremony. I was burning up in the suit, but kept it on. I guess it's a good metaphor for life. Sometimes, even when you think you're ready, things change and can make things uncomfortable. If you keep the right mindset, however, you can make it through. Similarly with couples, understanding the highs and lows ahead and that things will not be perfect, embracing these imperfect moments and working together to solve them, will help tackle any obstacle ahead. It's always beautiful to see couples give their vows and to see the road that is ahead of them and you always appreciate the fact that you can share in the experience with them. I was a little unsure about this wedding simply because the introverted side of me feared the worst ... a wedding where I wasn't sure if I would know anyone. After a beautiful ceremony, it was comforting to see a familiar face, which made the rest of the day a lot more comfortable. Before leaving, I was lucky enough to snap this selfie, which I hope is the first of many times ahead that I can share with these two wonderful people who God brought together in this beautiful union. Later that evening, I was unified with a group of friends to say farewell once again to my cross country son. It's always sad to see him leave and while it's great to get together, it's also a sad day since it means he'll be gone for awhile. As I drove home though, it gave me some time to reflect and think about all the relationships I have built over time and how important they are in my life. From those that were not the best before and have become stronger over time and for those that I built long before and have withstood the test of time, I appreciate each bridge and as exhausting as it will be, try my best to revisit them as much as possible. As while time is limited, you can always find it if you're willing to search hard enough.

~ :[CH5 - Day 217]:~ Changing Landscape of Life

~ :[CH5 - Day 217]:~ Changing Landscape of Life

As we wrapped up another successful Friday game day, a day that I wasn't so sure about turned into a good one. After breakfast, I could feel the exhaustion in my body, as I laid down to take a nap and woke up a lot later than expected. The nap cleared my mind a bit as I realized how things were a lot different than before and how the changing landscape of life does not necessarily mean anything is wrong, simply that you have to be adaptable. Sometimes you hope for things to turn out how they have in the past, when in reality that constant cycle can sometimes slowly stunt your growth. As while challenges may arise when landscapes change, they keep you on your toes and force you to change and adapt. I definitely see how I've changed and how many more things I am hoping to change in the future. There is a lot of life ahead and as while I stared ahead to see the beautiful skyline that showed itself as I drove down Rosemead, while I never wanted it to end, I realized that everything has its own shelf life. As while we say we want things to last forever, we should focus on appreciating things while they are here. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 216]:~ To All Great Moments in Life ... Cheers

~ :[CH5 - Day 216]:~ To All Great Moments in Life ... Cheers

I woke up this morning and realized how quickly the summer has gone. While I have been lucky enough to travel far and wide over the course of the summer being in fourteen planes in six weeks, I haven't really found much time to just relax and get to my list of things to do. Of course, once I think I'll have the chance, something enticing comes along. Finishing up the morning workout, I headed out to YouTube Space LA to work with the Jubilee Project. My friend Kavi was a part of the coordination team for the video and I ended up getting to be a part of this production. While I do not want to talk about the production at all, it was great to see everything put together in a different fashion than I was used to. I always love to see the problem solving, how people work together, and how things get figured out in the end and when it's done in a YouTube space, it became even more incredible. Since college, I haven't been able to do as much work as I have hoped to do because of my schedule and being among minds that love to create film and the like, it definitely was inspiring. While I continue to do mostly post-production work, the experience made me want to dive more into creating larger production if and when I have time. We'll see if that ever comes about. For now, I'll continue to do my 24-hour productions, which seem to be more like 12-hour productions and as quickly as they are laid out, shot, and edited, they do make me smile at the end, no matter how poorly they come out. While I didn't play a large role in the production, which felt a bit weird, I am grateful for the experience and glad to meet such a wonderful group of people who I expect to see headlining across YouTube and the entertainment industry in the future. As while a two-hour drive home made me late for the afternoon workout, I don't think I would have traded this experience for much. In the beginning, I was a little hesitant about taking this on especially since I was only there for a part of the experience, but I guess you realize that sometimes when you take that leap, you land on solid ground and eventually find yourself looking towards a higher peak that you now realize you can reach. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 215]:~ Cooling Off

~ :[CH5 - Day 215]:~ Cooling Off

It was a pretty grand day. We started with group runs allowing the team to bond over donuts and ice breakers. After practice I was able to get out to Pho Tasty and enjoy a great meal before heading to Tpumps to cool off from the hot weather. I love how Pokemon Go allows you to take pictures in the real world allowing your Pokemon to appear in real life pictures. (I didn't let him get my drink!) After, I was able to sneak in a quick nap before heading to Sender One with Jamie! It always feels good to get in a workout, but even more fun when you can enjoy the evening with a friend. We accomplished a lot in our time there and while I sadly only have a week left in the gym, I'll try to make the most of it. I ended the night with my family, as I was finally home. The summer is quickly closing out and while I wish we had another month or so to enjoy, I'm doing my best to make the most of every moment and experience as much as possible as I hope you all are doing. While we all don't get summers, make the most of all your moments and treasure them all as it's the smaller moments that in the end are the threat that make up the fabric of our lives. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 214]:~ Connections

~ :[CH5 - Day 214]:~ Connections

It wasn't as challenging as I thought it would be getting back into the groove of practice. However, for others it may have been. It wasn't the greatest of days in terms of attendance, as we hit our "vacation" week, however, we had a solid group of athletes show their readiness for the season. It's always great when you find that your athletes begin to mesh and connect with each other. Sometimes, it can be a bit much, but I guess you rather see more than less. With it blazing during afternoon practice, these two athletes matched, almost from head to toe. It was quite funny. I enjoyed both practice sessions and just getting back into the flow of things. It's always a bit crazy coming back from vacation especially when you have a laundry list of things to do. I checked off a lot of those items today and hope that I can continue to do so. From LAX to Long Beach to Huntington Beach and Fullerton and finally getting around to some more cross country paperwork, it was a full and productive day that had me smiling by days end. 

~ :[CH5 - Day 213]:~ Just Barely

~ :[CH5 - Day 213]:~ Just Barely

Boston is a beautiful city, but I am not sure it wanted me here this time around. It was a whirlwind trip full of nearly missed flights, mistakes and more, yet I enjoyed it thoroughly. I wandered through almost all of Boston with very little on an agenda and came out with very full and eventful days. I guess things will not always work out picture perfect and you can't always be ahead of everything, but in the end, all those mishaps can lead to fun memories. As I scurried through Boston trying to make my flight, I missed my turn because of traffic and ended up going the wrong way, leading me into traffic. When finally going the right way, I hit traffic again. I rushed through the rental car return, onto the shuttle, barely made check in and made it to the gate as they were going to board. As I sat on the plane, I kept thinking of how awesome of a city it was and how lucky I was to be on this adventure. In the end, however, I am glad to be home where I can get the work done that I've wanted to get out of the way and get back in the cycle of things. I love exploring and seeing other sites, but as I said before, I will always love being back at home.