~:[CH6 - Day 90]:~ Out of Gas

~:[CH6 - Day 90]:~ Out of Gas

It was a long day. Scratch that. A very long day. It was already time to sing happy birthday to one of our athletes who was born on April 1st by the time that we got back to school. Our bus died and they had to come out and fix the bus, having us wait about an hour in the dark for our bus. However, the athletes didn't really complain and were even more efficient in loading and unloading the bus. When leaving, they all were there to help carry items and at the end of the meet, all was cleaned up so quickly and we had the cleanest area in the stadium despite having all the food that we did. Honestly, I didn't have to do too much today during the meet other than coach. As exhausted as I am right now, I am so grateful to have been surrounded by such a great group of athletes who took responsibility. Tonight is always one of my favorite nights because I love this meet so much. We had a good number of PRs, medals, and great races, but the night was even better because of how well everything ran. While not everyone was there for the final picture, this year's group showed me just why all the effort that I put into a day is well worth it. 

~:[CH6 - Day 89]:~ Putting Up a Fight

~:[CH6 - Day 89]:~ Putting Up a Fight

It's nice to see a bunch of new faces out for a team. This year is one of the biggest teams we have had and I like it because there are a lot of new faces. It's nice to get a fresh start, meet new athletes and also see the diversity that we have on our team. We had a pretty good outing against a solid Bellflower squad. Our boys team almost came out with the win on both side, but a few places determined the meet and we fell just short in a few events. Regardless, we made a pretty good run at it. Our girls teams both took the victory as all levels put up a good fight. Regardless of the win or less, I love the competitive nature of our athletes, doing their best and doing all they can to find success. It's always a joy to see athletes give it their all and then in a few minutes be smiling and cheering on their teammates. Sure, it's nice to win and be successful, but at the end of the day, you also have to be enjoying the experience and that is part of the reason why you compete in the first place. Tomorrow is another meet and another opportunity to see my athletes gain even more respect from me; respect that they truly deserve. 

~:[CH6 - Day 88]:~ Simply Spectacular

~:[CH6 - Day 88]:~ Simply Spectacular

The day itself was pretty bland, but at least there is always something going on at good ol' CHS. We ventured out at lunch to catch the prom premiere reveal where we saw our theme for the night, which was based on Paris. It was great to see a lot of the basketball players get up there and show off their stuff, both boys and girls. It takes a lot for people to come up on stage and not be afraid for others to judge them. It's nice when people can get past that and just do their thing. While I still get anxious when getting on stage, I don't allow what others may thing bother me. Ultimately, what they thing maters not if they are trying to bring me down. My goal is to show the doubters that I am fully capable and ultimately, not back down from a challenge. I hate being in the spotlight, but getting into the spotlight when others thing I can't is the best feeling in the world. Don't be afraid of what others may think, just use it as motivation to find success and understand that simply stepping into the spotlight is spectacular in itself.

~:[CH6 - Day 87]:~ A Gourmet at Our Table

~:[CH6 - Day 87]:~ A Gourmet at Our Table

It's easy to dream of a meal that is so fabulous, cooked by a famous chef in an incredible city and a world-renowned Michelin star restaurant. It's only natural for us to dream of something greater and more amazing. However, there comes a point when you realize that the gourmet meal you are looking for is right at your table. The heart and soul put into a meal, the love shared with friends and family, and all the incredible memories  you make with those around you will forward taste greater than what any restaurant or world-class chef could cook up. We often spend our time dream of where we want to go and where we are headed instead of looking at enjoying where we are today. It should be our goal to try to find the best possible outcome for ourselves, but let's not forget the opportunities that are on our table right now. I, for one, am guilty of this, planning far into the future, however, I must ensure that I enjoy the best treat that can be offered, life itself. Tomorrow, make it a day where you don't focus on where you want to be, but appreciate what you have and where you are, as while you may not be perfectly happy where you are right now, you should still appreciate the wonderful things that surround you, as we all have a lot to be thankful for. The greatest meals come from all types of restaurants from the high-class to the hole-in-the-wall, all that matters is the love, heart, and soul that is put into it; it's what truly makes it a gourmet. 

~:[CH6 - Day 86]:~ To the Limit

~:[CH6 - Day 86]:~ To the Limit

One of the things that always tests me is taking responsibility. It's not an easy thing to do, especially for a student. With area pictures happening today, it was a challenge as so many of the athletes forgot to bring what they needed to. It hurt a lot to see so many that forgot an expected that they'd simply be able to borrow something to easily cover their irresponsibility. However, as practice continued, I realized that I was right for standing my ground, but also need to try to also show more balance. I think one of the best things to do in life is to reflect back on all you done and make sure you handle that situation a little different in the future, even if you did what you should have done, there are always ways to make your reaction better. I hope that with a better response, I can get the athletes to think about others, to be responsible, and to go the extra mile to ensure that they take of what they need to. However, this moment could not spoil the many bright points on the day including a little treat for the Japanese exchange students in my periods. I always enjoy having them and wish that they enjoy their time at our school. The winds kicked up and send me on my way home as it was just about to get dark, but this momentary storm can not make me lose my focus, as I work towards improving myself daily. While we make mistakes, they are just opportunities waiting to help us grow. 

~:[CH6 - Day 85]:~ Capturing Every Moment

~:[CH6 - Day 85]:~ Capturing Every Moment

It could have been easy to turn down the offer to go for a shoot today so that I could rest from a long way, but I decided that I shouldn't. I'm a firm believer that each of these opportunities to experience something new is worth the energy you expend doing it and I was right in that assumption again today. While things didn't start off perfectly, it didn't take long before the day became amazing and that it was yet another amazing moment captures in my memories. There are many days in the lifetime and each is a snapshot in your memory. What will you remember? Will it be a storm of negativity that you allow to overtake you or can you find the blue skies and amazing scenes that make a lifetime wonderful. It's easy to get caught up in negativity and weight down by the storm, but realize that you have the power to make your days amazing. As I stood on this hillside and looked at the amazing sky in the company of amazing people, I smiled knowing that I made the right decision. While resting at home may have been good for my body and mind, this adventure was amazing for my heart and my soul and given another opportunity, I would not change a thing. Today I was grateful for amazing friends, wonderful opportunities, and the ability to soak in something as beautiful as today. As with one click of the shutter of my mind, I captured another moment to be stored in the hard drive of my mind for the rest of my life. 

~:[CH6 - Day 84]:~ Sky High

~:[CH6 - Day 84]:~ Sky High

We often get so wrapped in "how we do" that we forget that life is about the experiences that help us grow. We all can't win and we can't always PR or have a great day. Regardless, we can always learn and always grow from the experiences that we have. Some day's we'll jump too early or too high, we'll start out too fast or let others get in our way; it's all a part of life. However, how we change and adapt following these situations will determine where we end up. We have some work to do, but it's not exactly what you may think. A lot of it stems from the ability to see that our changes do not necessarily need to be only focused in physical development, but in fact, most of it comes from the realization that we must work on our mental mindset. When we come in unfocused, doubting ourselves, or thinking what we can't, we're limiting what we can. By seeing these shortcomings as opportunities to learn and grow, we will find ourselves in a much better place. With a load of medals, we had our highs, but in the lows, we found our plan to begin the process of development, not failure or defeat. While I have no ability to predict the future, all I know is that with the right mindset, we'll find ourselves going sky high. 

~:[CH6 - Day 83]:~ The Joy in it All

~:[CH6 - Day 83]:~ The Joy in it All

Life always throws at us difficult moments. Today was a stressful day with our bus time changing, trying to get Pennies for Patients together and also trying to cater for the exchange students, as I wanted to provide a welcoming environment. The meet threw in its own stress as the winds picked up and caused a bit of a ruckus, making it difficult to reach new PRs. However, with all that went on, like in most cases in life, you have to see the joy in it all. I saw a group of students in my classes, give so generously and selflessly to Pennies for Patients. Just about 90 freshmen and IAs, donated about $2400 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I got the chance to spend some time with a few people through the day, while brief, the moment was something that I enjoyed. The early bus meant that we could relax and have plenty of time to spend together. I could have hoped for some better performances, but in the end, who cares? I had a group of athletes who tried their best and I can ask nothing more that that. In life, I try my best to keep things positive and surround myself with positive people, However, it must also be my job to do my best to encourage this positive outlook from people, as challenging as it may be for some. Life is difficult. The stress of life, trying to make ends meets, dealing with sickness and death, facing challenging times and more. It all weights down on your shoulders and makes moving forward difficult. Despite it all though, you must find a way to keep moving forward and I think the best way is to see the joy in it all. The mere fact of appreciation can go a long way and while you must learn how to navigate through all the situations of life, I think trying to see what is good in each moment, even when that moment is difficult or bad, is the key to happiness. Outlook and perspective is a big part of the battle in life. My hope is that people can take the time to see that joy in it all, as that in itself can make your day go a whole lot better. As while next time you face a long and difficult day, look back at it one more time and scan for the most minute thing that you can highlight, as that may be the way you change your whole outlook on life. Today, we collected our final donations for pennies for patients and while we received tens, twenties and even hundreds, the penny still has value and no matter how small of a denomination it may have been, those small amounts can add up quickly. No matter how big or small, value the joy in every situation, as there is a lot to appreciate. 

~:[CH6 - Day 82]:~ Time to Perform

~:[CH6 - Day 82]:~ Time to Perform

It was amazing to catch the performances of these dancers who visited us for Japan as they came to compete for the Miss Dance Drill Team competition. They showed off their skills and wowed our students with my favorite being the domino section of their set. The day hit a road block as we did not get a third bus for our track and field meet and scrambled to figure out what to do. I ended up having to shuttle athletes and despite our mishap, the La Mirada coach still felt compelled to start the meet early. I was upset at the lack of common courtesy. I decided to focus on our athletes' performances and there were some spectacular ones. We had a large number of PRs in different areas, some growth and even an athlete who jumped to one of the top marks in the state at 6' 8" in the high jump. While we ended up with only one divisional win, I was proud of our growth and effort and hope that with a little bit of health, we'll be back on track. After a nice meal, I came home exhausted, but pretty happy with how the performances of the day went. 

~:[CH6 - Day 81]:~ Bringing Happiness Home

~:[CH6 - Day 81]:~ Bringing Happiness Home

In an unexpected ending to the day, I ended up at the Happiest Place on Earth. However, although that's what they call this place, happiness cannot be found by simply going to an amusement park. In fact, haven't you noticed that many people are in a state quite the opposite? Upset with long lines, battling crowds, dealing with kids running around, it can be tiresome. Regardless, in all the madness that is Disneyland, you can find a moment where it is tranquil and peaceful and it's beauty just radiates. In all situations, you can do the same. As while life will throw you its ups and downs, it is up to you to bring the happiness to where you are. You create the aura around you and ultimately, that gets conveyed on those around you. Even those who are the most stone-faced can benefit from someone who passes along the happiness that is life to those around them. Tomorrow and everyday, let's not need to go to Disneyland to find happiness, rather, let's build our own place of happiness, that will be anywhere that you go. Compliment others, smile, laugh, and keep a positive attitude. Sure, things will not always be fine and dandy, but at least you can build up your armor to fight off all that is bad, so you can keep what is around you happy, much like I am at this very moment. 

~:[CH6 - Day 80]:~ Even When It Pours

~:[CH6 - Day 80]:~ Even When It Pours

Life will rain down on you every now and then, but it doesn't mean that it needs to bring you down. I was pretty exhausted and had a list of things to do on the day, but I didn't let that get to me. I motored through the day and did my best to try to do that with a smile. Our team battled the elements on interval day and by day's end, we celebrated over a meal at BWWs, as today, we didn't let the rain get to us. In life, we will face challenges, but because of those challenges, we will be better after navigating our way through the storm. "There are no flowers that would bloom without being shaken." (Do Jong-Hwan) Each of us must weather these storms in order for us to truly bloom. Today, I saw the beginning of that process as a group of athletes pushed through the conditions in order to show that they have grown, that they could push and while they would be shaken, they would survive and be stronger because of it all. In life, we are going to face difficult times, some of which we find too difficult to handle. However, it's part of the process of life. Always know that you can handle it, you can weather this storm, and you will rise out of the shadows. Stand strong and know that you never stand alone. At the very least, we each have our own shield from the storm, but also know, that we have others who will stand by you  to keep you standing strong. Look to help other when you see others who need some shelter from the storm, but also don't fail to see the room under the umbrella that others have for you when they welcome you. There will be another day when it will pour, but hopefully you can greet it with a smile, as tomorrow, you'll be stronger because of it. 

~:[CH6 - Day 79]:~ Back to the Routine

~:[CH6 - Day 79]:~ Back to the Routine

After a week away at Nationals, it was back to the routine at school. With class and practice, it was kind of nice being back in the habit of things. I know Mondays can be rough,but I was excited to be back and get back into the thick of things. It was nice how I was able to take care of what I needed to and get myself back on track right away. I'm exhausted now, but regardless, I was happy to find familiarity and a routine that makes things comfortable. I've got some catching up to do, but for today, I'll just be cruising along. 

~:[CH6 - Day 78]:~ A Galaxy of Possibilities

~:[CH6 - Day 78]:~ A Galaxy of Possibilities

Today was a day of reflection. As I sorted through the photos from the trip, I couldn't help look at this all too familiar picture and wonder, how many possibilities exist for us all. In a world that seems so vast, there are still so many more avenues that we leave unexplored and so much more that is still yet unknown. Many of us only know our own paths and of a few others who we hold close to us, but what about the rest? We live in a time where we have our own bubble and care less for others than we should, generally speaking. The question is, how much more can we give and can we think of others in our process of reaching for the stars? Can we balance determination with selflessness? As I pondered it all, I got upset at moments of my own selfishness and competitiveness and began to feel greater appreciation towards the support and help of others to help get me to where I am today. It also got me to thinking about how much more can I do to reach out to others. As I was introduced to a new story, it connected with these thoughts as it explained that we truly never know the story of others and what they have to deal with. While many will push aside those who seem to difficult to deal with, it would be of great service if we could take the time to find the root of the issues so that we can do our best to help as many of those around us, including ourselves. The possibilities that surrounded me overhead were like a galaxy of stars and instead of thinking of all the possibilities ahead for me, I now know that I must look at it as all of the possibilities for us all. As while we must have goals and strive to find success, we must do it by raising those around us in the process rather than trying to push them aside while trying to reach the top. The possibilities are endless, but only if we allow them all to exist and do not allow the lights around us to extinguish. 

~:[CH6 - Day 77]:~ Turning It Around

~:[CH6 - Day 77]:~ Turning It Around

The day of departure is always crazy. As I sit in the airport waiting to leave for home, I think about this year's Nationals team. We had a bumpy road in preparation and even had our moments during the trip, but the one thing I noticed about this group is the connection that they have with each other. Sure there are things that need to be worked on, but when you think about it, we all do and if all these difficulties can be solved, the success only becomes that much sweeter. It's always tough to do well when you bring a big group to Nationals, but they still left with the Award of Excellence in Debate and in Research, brining home two delegation awards again. Of course, this conference is not about the award, rather about the growth, about learning, and about connection with delegates from around the country and the world. We sit here delayed at the airport and will arrive home at about 3am and as difficult as that may be for us, I am not sure that I would want this trip to end any other way. Why? I guess the difficulty in this delay allowed me to see them together, not complaining that they are delayed, but celebrating that they have a few more moments to spend with each other. I will rest well going home knowing all that we had to go through to reach this point. Despite it all, I couldn't be prouder at this moment, delays, difficulties and all. 

~:[CH6 - Day 76]:~ Showing the Way

~:[CH6 - Day 76]:~ Showing the Way

I woke up conflicted on a few things, but in the end, I think I was guided to the right answer. We often find ourselves in situations where we need some guidance, however, without enough trust and enough faith, what was once so clouded becomes so clear. While today, the stress on my mind was minimal, in the past, I have found that even in the toughest of situations, that this is true. We always find ourselves with bumps in the road that make our lives difficult, however, in life, we are very capable of handling the situations in which we are given. If we can navigate them, we will find ourselves learning and growing so that we can easily navigate what comes next. Much like a conference, these students need to deal with tough situations in a committee and figure out ways to make things work. They always won't work for them in the end, but at the end of the day, they will have grown, they will have become battle tested and will find themselves ready for the road ahead. As I wandered through the streets of New York on my final day in the city, I thought to myself, I'm glad that I can see things so clearly right now. No, things are not perfect, but it is in that imperfection that I have learned how I must adapt in order to maintain this clarity in life. Sometime we get a little off track in life, just trust and believe that we will be able to find our way, as with the same faith that we can move mountains, we will find a light to guide us along the way. 

~:[CH6 - Day 75]:~ Introverted in an Extroverted World

~:[CH6 - Day 75]:~ Introverted in an Extroverted World

Interestingly enough, I live in an extroverted world. Model UN, coaching, teaching ... go figure! I've grown out of my introverted world to at least be able to communicate and speak up, but I still find myself going back to my introverted tendencies. I don't like to talk in front of big crowds or groups, I need my alone time to recharge, I like to reflect and I often think too much, rather than act. Of course, I teach and talk daily, I'm bombarded daily surrounded by people all the time and have to raise my voice when coaching. Because of that, I've grown to talk more in some senses, yet often, people misinterpret me because I don't speak up or talk a lot with them. Honestly, I much rather take pictures, wander on a long hike, blog, cook or even take a solo adventure. I've grown to love being around people, but normally, one or two at a time. I won't often say what I need to say, aside from during work, and often that can lead to a state of confusion, mixed messages and more. But hey, this is me. As I sit on my bed, in a silent and peaceful area, I recharge, as I get the peace and quiet I enjoy, as I have time to reflect on the day. Just finishing the series, My Shy Boss, I completely realize how he is feeling, as he struggles with the daily life of a introvert. Sure, he is much more introverted than I am, but the similarities are unreal. As I move through another day of meetings and conferences, I am drained having to try and socialize and sacrifice my recharging time, however, the constant exposure to it all has allowed me to break out my shell and find myself heading away from the introverts, trying to mix in with the crowd in which I am constantly placed. Will it ever be easy? Probably not. However, for now, I soak in the peace and quiet of this world as an introvert in this extroverted world. 

~:[CH6 - Day 74]:~ In General

~:[CH6 - Day 74]:~ In General

It was "make up" day, as we tried to catch up for all we missed due to yesterday's storm. We had a grand old time wandering around Central Park, however, the snow was so icy that it impacted the fun that could have been. Regardless, they enjoyed their time from the skyline rock to singing at Strawberry Field, Belvadere Castle Bethesda Fountain and of course, Alice in Wonderland. It was slippery the whole time. but we avoided most of the issues despite the icy conditions. After a quick stop at the MET, we ate at St. Mark's, then prepped for conference. At opening, I was so disappointed with a number of delegations, as they were disrespectful to the speaker and their advisors didn't seem to do anything to stop them. It's sad that you get the opportunity to do something of this nature and hear someone this important speak and you don't give them the respect they deserve. Regardless, despite that and the endless questions that left the students with a short lunch, I enjoyed hearing from General Petraeus at opening, yes, the General Petraeus! I think one of the things that I will carry with me that he mentioned was that as we try to push forward, we eventually may find ourself stuck as we may feel like we are not making any progress. However, if we pull back and get ourselves up to 30,000 feet, we will see just how far we come, which should help motivate us to keep pushing forward. Sometimes, we need to step back to see all the incredible work that we do, because in many cases, we don't give ourselves the credit we deserve. While there were issues through the day, they could not beat the fact that we got to go outside and when we went back in for opening, we heard the wise words from such an important individual, General Petraeus. 

~:[CH6 - Day 73]:~ The Past Guides the Future

~:[CH6 - Day 73]:~ The Past Guides the Future

The storm did not end up being as bad as we thought it would be, but we stayed in most of the day. The winds were relatively calm, the temperature wasn't too cold, and the snow was no where near where it could have been. The past has taught me to plan for the worst so that you know you're ready for it and while you may be over prepared, at least you have more than enough to share. I often allow my past to guide me through the present while trying to avoid it to dictate my future. I am a firm believer in learning from the past and using it. Similarly, it is our alumni who help guide our current students. As juniors, they help the freshmen, as seniors, they teach the sophomores and as alumni, they can help answer the questions that they need. I enjoyed catching up with a few of them and while our moments together were short, the memories of these moments will last beyond these days. Good or bad, I always will appreciate the lessons I gained from all the experiences I have had and hope that they can help guide me on the right path in the future. I did not enjoy being in the hotel all day especially trying to keep all of the students healthy, but in the end, the storm allowed the group to get some much needed rest and ultimately was a blessing in disguise. 

~:[CH6 - Day 72]:~ Together Before the Storm

~:[CH6 - Day 72]:~ Together Before the Storm

It was nice to get a little more sleep. As my alarm rang, it was just before 8am. It is always spectacular to have the Model UN students visit the real United Nations building. All the things they have been studying all these years, finally being something that come to fruition. They wandered through and enjoyed the experience as most classes have. After a stop at Grand Central and a few hours at the Butterfly Observatory and the Natural History Museum, we had our amazing race where the students showed they know how to navigate through the streets of NYC. They definitely did fairly well. With a birthday to celebrate, it was nice that our schedule was adjusted due to the storm so that she could go ice skating! It also happened that we had a prom asking as well in the middle of the ice and made me wonder if people thought it was a proposal. Regardless, it was cute. As I sit here preparing to get pounded by this oncoming blizzard. I thought about how I always am attracting storms like this. It's not a coincidence that I will have been in two blizzards this year and a bad storm and have also have been in places where they've had their "worst storms." Regardless, just like all the other storms, including those in life, I will find a way to make it through and it makes it a lot easier when you're not doing it alone. I have family, friends and others close by who have struggled with these storms and while the storms sometimes never let up, the fact that we can be there to support each other, help us find the best way to weather the storm itself. It will never be easy when the storm hits, but having the loving support of those around make it that much more special. We've had to change things around, but we haven't let that change the fact that this trip has been enjoyable as we aim to make it as best as possible despite the storm. My legs are exhausted and will benefit from the rest tomorrow and it will be great if you could send positive vibes my way, as together with the support of those around me, we'll all survive the storms of life. As while the storm may seem like something you won't survive, together, as while there is an eye in every storm, there is also always a WE, as I will be here for you, as others like you have been there for me. 

~:[CH6 - Day 71]:~ Sunshine Cuts Through the Bitterness

~:[CH6 - Day 71]:~ Sunshine Cuts Through the Bitterness

It was bitterly cold. Just when I thought it felt good, it was freezing again. We had a group wake up late, I had to walk to the crown of the Statue of Liberty twice to accompany a group of our students, I was exhausted and more; however, by days end, the sunshine outlasted the bitterness. We got to go up to the crown for the first time in quite awhile, we remembered the victims of 9/11, took a stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge and we caught an amazing showing of Wicked. It was also nice to see some alumni and catch up with a friend who always is a bright spot of the day. While the blue skies persisted overhead, the threat of a blizzard forthcoming looms overhead as we try to make alternative plans and also plan ahead for Tuesday. Nonetheless, today ended up being awesome, although my muscles do not quite agree with that statement, the bitter cold could not ruin the day, as good people can always overcome all the bad the world has to offer. 

~:[CH6 - Day 70]:~ The Day that Never Ended

~:[CH6 - Day 70]:~ The Day that Never Ended
I don't remember taking a red eye for Nationals, but it was a killer. Today was one of the longest days every because of that red eye, as we landed a bit after 6am and used up the entire evening. However, it may just have been worth it, as we added in a few things that we may not have been able to do with a normal schedule. We wandered down the High Line to take in the sights before headed through Greenwich Village and over to SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. We grabbed a great meal at an Italian joint, got some hand-pulled noodles in Chinatown, added some baked goods from both places and did a little shopping. We stopped off at Washington Square Park before taking a quick break at the hotel. The new hotel elevator system is a disaster, but it has meant that I get a lot of exercise every day as I take the stairs down, sometimes as many as 37 flights today! We headed back out to Times Square and the Empire State Building before calling it a day. Getting an extra 12 hours or so was wonderful, but also exhausting during the day that never ended. Top it off with trying to watch a conference championship game on the West Coast and dealing with a three-hour time change plus daylight savings means Sunday will be quite ugly. Time to get some sleep. Wish us luck!

~:[CH6 - Day 69]:~ Saying Goodbye

~:[CH6 - Day 69]:~ Saying Goodbye

It was a crazy day. So much to do before we left for NY including saying goodbye to my best friend Jepsen. It was a little crazy as our driver wouldn't take our team equipment and then wouldn't use all the seats in the bus to take our athletes so we had about a dozen athletes without a way to get to the meet. They had to send another bus since one wouldn't do what should have been done. Sadly, what a waste. Regardless, we still had a number of great performances, especially this early in the year. With athletes PRing, it's great for that to happen in early March. I jetted to the airport after the 1600m and joined up with our MUN team to head to Nationals. After a delay, the rest of the day would be spent on a plane, but soon, we'd be in NYC. For now, good night.

~:[CH6 - Day 68]:~ Striding into the Season

~:[CH6 - Day 68]:~ Striding into the Season

It's always hard to tell how you're going to do when you're headed into a season. After today, we should be alright as long as we're healthy. We weren't at 100% and we had to balance between today and tomorrow, however, we survived with a win on every level. We have good numbers this year, which means we can load up on all the races and we ended up with pretty solid performances including some improvements in a few areas. We have a few weeks to get on track, but we'll be tested pretty soon and then we'll know where we really stand. For now, we will enjoy our meet tomorrow and hopefully score a number of new PRs. I finalized my packing and printed out the rest of the documents I need, however, it seems as if I am ready to go! It's stressful, yet exciting. Hopefully all goes well tomorrow, but for now, I'll enjoy our performances today. 

~:[CH6 - Day 67]:~ In My Simplicity

~:[CH6 - Day 67]:~ In My Simplicity

It was weird. At lunch some of my students decided to draw my portrait on the board and with all the detailed and complex drawings there were, this one stood out. Why? It was a little weird, but it reminded me of how truly simple I am at my core, whether it seems like it or not. I think we get so mixed up in the complexities of life, in the extras, and the quantity that we forget that life could be much simpler. If I could rebuild the world, it would not be so complex. When competing an assignment or projection, it would simply come down to, did you do your best? Did you learn something? When coming back from a trip, did you enjoy it? When eating a meal, did you feel fulfilled? When being with friends and family, did you feel loved? Do the details really matter? Does it matter how fancy of a meal you ate, the exotic place you went or what you did with your friends? When it comes down to it, all that matters is not all that is grandiose, but the core meaning of it all. I liked how, it wasn't the details that stuck out of the drawing, it was simply the smile, reminding me of, did you have a good day? With the right approach and the right perspective, that answer can almost always be yes. There will be bad days, but can those bad days be so bad that it overshadows the fact that you're still alive? Sure, I am the kind of person who could really live a simple life. I could lock myself in a room, write and draw all day, take long walks in isolation by myself and simply think. It's part of my introverted core. Because of that, I think I can also break the world down to this simple view. The details of it all are great, but not greater than a true and genuine answer to simply summarize your day because in the end, that's all that matters - that I'm healthy, happy and loved. 

~:[CH6 - Day 66]:~ Soaking in the Sun

~:[CH6 - Day 66]:~ Soaking in the Sun

I know, I know what you're thinking. This photo may be a little inappropriate, but hey, who wouldn't enjoy this sunny day? In actuality, these two were doing nothing more than lounging in the sun and soaking in the rays. There are other photos that prove it, but regardless, today was a tanning day for nearly a hundred turtles who lined the shores in Cerritos today. I never knew there were as many turtles as I saw, despite already knowing there were a good number. As I wandered, I began to appreciate the wildlife that existed nearby and how close they allowed me to get to them. There was a lot to appreciate today as I soaked in the sun and thought about everything that I enjoyed the past few days. I think I needed the sun today as I thought about how I was missing out on a great trip to Vietnam with my friends. I only missed it since I had a meeting today, which wasn't quite the meeting I envision. Regardless, even after that, slightly straining my hamstring during intervals, and knowing that I was missing out, I still sit here in smile, inspired by the wonderful people around me and all the good things I know that I am blessed with. In life, you have the choice of letting things get you down and in your way or finding an alternative path so that you can still still soak in all the sun with a smile. I choose the latter. People may judge what you do, how you look and more, but they're only trying to stop you from reaching the heights you know you can reach, so push them aside so you can see all that awaits you. You may have missed out ... on an opportunity, a fun time, and more, but you'll miss out a lot more if you linger on it. Forget about it all and join me in soaking up all this sun.

~:[CH6 - Day 65]:~ Time to Shine

~:[CH6 - Day 65]:~ Time to Shine

The rain passed on through on Sunday, making way for a clear day on Monday. Honestly, today felt like a Tuesday and by day's end, I couldn't believe it was still Monday. Regardless, I enjoyed the day, had a great lunch, got in another great walk, and even had Tpumps to top it all off. At practice, I was excited to give the Athlete of the Meet awards to our two athletes, one for boys frosh/soph and one for girls varsity, even though she is just a freshman. With a combination of the 4x1, 100, 200, and 4x4 for the boy and the 4x1, 400, HJ, and 4x4 for the girl, it was quite an incredible meet for them both. It was a cool and well deserved award. We ended the night with a great run and weight workout. I missed out on a fun dinner outing as I ran late in getting there, but I made up for it in the evening, by being productive, packing for NY, doing paperwork for the weekend and taking care of the final logistical items for the week. I can't believe how fast times flies. While I was a bit sad that I was not with my friends in Vietnam today, my productivity at least made today bearable as I look forward to another sunny day tomorrow. 

~:[CH6 - Day 64]:~ What Lies Within

~:[CH6 - Day 64]:~ What Lies Within

When I need to recharge or find inspiration, I like to walk. Today, I walked a lot. It was a wonderful day to do so, as the rain kept people away and I had mostly peace and quiet as I strolled around Huntington Library. As you walk through gardens, most people look around and find the prettiest flowers or the most magnificent looking plant. It made me think about how plants are just like people. Often times, the most skilled or best looking people attract the most attention while plants like the cactus often go unnoticed. Sure, there are people who enjoy it, but often, people would rather look at something bright, eye-catching or appealing. However, our world has become so superficial in that sense that we go to a garden to look at all the beauty that surrounds us and forget to look closer at the details that we miss from far away and to truly see what lies below the surface. We judge our books by their covers before we even know what the book is about and that is where our troubles begin. I think it should be a task of us all to make that extra effort to meet someone new and to not judge them before we get to know them. My first stop today was to the area where all the cacti were on display and there was not one ounce of regret for doing so. The intricacies, the variations, and even the few that had a bit of color in them, made them very special and were even better when you took the time to look a little bit closer. If you just looked at the cover, you'd said, today it rained. When you look a little bit closer though, you'd see that I had a day with hours to think while walking miles throughout the day and by day's end, I saw that I was better because of it. I like to walk and in doing so, I find inspiration. 

~:[CH6 - Day 63]:~ The Making of a Champion

~:[CH6 - Day 63]:~ The Making of a Champion

Another early morning alarm on a Saturday, but I was ready to go. Sometimes you wonder why you're doing this to yourself, but then you go through the day and realize just why. Championships allow for championships to be won, but champions are made every day with the daily grind including waking up early for these all-day meets. Luckily, the ABC District Championships is a much shorter affair than most meets, which have stretched to two-day affairs. We had a pretty successful run on the day as we were able two win a collection of medals, have a number of individuals winners, two athlete of the meets and two team championships by days end. However, the accolades mean a lot less than all the energy and effort that this team put forth. While still missing a number of athletes, we still had one of our best showings at this meet and their early performances this season make this season one that is very exciting. Sure, we have a lot of work today, but we've just started out on this road. I'll be happy if this year is filled with medals and championships, however, that is never my end goal, as I'm in the business of making champions and there's no limit on how many of those there can be. Today we can celebrate, but tomorrow we must get back to work on our road to making a champion. 

~:[CH6 - Day 62]:~ Tranquility & Peace

~:[CH6 - Day 62]:~ Tranquility & Peace

Sometimes in the midst of it all, you find tranquility and peace. After a day full of tests, grading, practice and even a staff volleyball game, I wandered around and found this moment and captured it in all its glory. It's a moment you dream about and hope that your life could feel this way. It's something that you cannot describe amid the stress of work and making ends meet, the emotions of love and life, and the daily rigor that makes life so challenging. However, in this moment, you find that sense of calmness that you so desperately need and it's good. Oh, so good! From Cerritos to Santa Monica, my day was spent venturing around, but no matter how much stress the crowds and traffic contributed to my life, it was washed away in this very moment. Find the time to discover this place of tranquility and peace, as each of us is bound to find this place and normally we run into this moment by accident. Today was a stressful day, but I am still smiling and this was the reason why.

~:[CH6 - Day 61]:~ Piece by Piece

~:[CH6 - Day 61]:~ Piece by Piece

Most of the most majestic places in the world were not built in a day. Then why would we expect our lives to manifest something special so quickly? I am guilty of seeking instant gratification as I try to win the lottery and the like. However, in many cases, I also value success that is gained by hard work, grinding it out, day after day. As while there are sacrifices involved and many times, you being left alone working until the late hours of the night, it all becomes worth it when all that hard work begins to pay off. I often remind my new runners, try not to become a varsity athlete on your first day. Many of the athletes with talent try to do too much and end up with a setback. Similarly, I remind students that there will be frustration along the way, but ultimately, you must slowly learn what you need to and over time, you'll have the knowledge and experience to succeed. Life is like a Lego building set, as there are so many pieces that can go anywhere and depending on what you are trying to build, you can find a way to create something with your own touch to it. Some of these tasks are easy and some are way more difficult, especially when you do not have all the pieces you need. In the end, however, all that work you put in is worth it. We go through life trying to quickly finish everything and get things done, however, why don't we all slow down and appreciate the fact that you have to grind a few things out, as reach the end will just be that much sweeter. 

~:[CH6 - Day 60]:~ It's Quite Rare

~:[CH6 - Day 60]:~ It's Quite Rare

It's amazing when you set a goal and aim to accomplish it and do it in such a short amount of time. My list is not complete, yet, I've made a lot of progress. Today was a day where I saw and caught up with a number of people and began making my rounds to catch up with those that I need to. Some of the meet ups were planned by me, another by coincidence and the last was planned by someone else. Regardless, it's been nice to see that I've made strides to try to reach this goal. While it was pretty exhausting bouncing from one place to the next, it was well worth it as I felt an amazing sense of completeness to my day, as I found those who mean a lot to me today. By night's end, I was stuffed to the brim with Korean BBQ from BBQ Night, but as I look back on the day, I am fine with it as I am also filled with the amazing heart and soul of those who I am lucky to have surround me. It is rare that you find great friends and I am lucky to keep such a great core around me, which is why I cannot afford to take them for granted, as it is quite rare to fine people like this.