~:[CH6 - Day 120]:~ Connecting with the Past

~:[CH6 - Day 120]:~ Connecting with the Past

I love days without an agenda. You find a way to make it work and also begin to discover a lot, as you stumbling upon things. I began the morning reconnecting with a high school classmate. Our reunion was for a good cause and showed her generous spirit, helping out a family who has struggled for the last few years. It's difficult to see people struggle, but amazing when you see the generosity and caring spirit of those around you. We were talking about how impeccable the timing was and it's amazing how things work out. Was it a sign? As I wandered into Caffe Bene in Koreatown to do a little work, I began to wonder if it was a sign or not. With the morning already making my day, I was happier when I successfully booked tickets to Hamilton. Yes, I was hoping that it would all work out and while the tickets were so-so, it still was the icing on the cake. It took awhile to do this and it began to get a little crowded. I thought, the only thing that would be better is if our alum Han Ye-Seul walked through the door so I can interview her and feature her in our 50th year anniversary film. That did not happen, but something amazing did. For some reason, something told me to walk upstairs and so I followed that feeling. It was a lot more peaceful upstairs, but something reminded me that most things that have happened today and many other was not simply by coincidence. It was a constant reminder of the day, as I sat upstairs and was able to get words of wisdom from a small group. They held their meeting upstairs, but a simple few versus and points made, got me to reflect  upon myself and my Walk. It made me think about what I need to do and how I can reform myself to further develop myself and work on purifying my soul. In another stroke of luck, I though I would be heading home, but stopped off at Tpumps before heading back to Cerritos. Just as I passed LA, I got a message to see if I still was around to grab lunch and so I got lucky with another catch up. I ended the day with great timing again, as I spent the rest of the late afternoon with a final catch up for the day. I connected with so many people today that I was amazed, but somehow it was the right people at the right time and helps me clear up the fog that filled my mind. It helped me move forward and get past all the obstacles in my way. People often say that you shouldn't let your past hold you back, but I also wonder, why can't we use our past to help push us forward. Often, no matter how long it's been, those from my past are pieces of the greatest foundations that I have been lucky enough to have holding me up. They've always come at the right time and have helped build what I am today. I guess that's why this new project I have been working on has been so important to me. I want to find the foundation that has made our school into what it is today from the entertainers of Han Ye-Seul (Leslie Kim) and other singers and movie stars, to the athletes, the professionals, the politicians, the blue color, the while color, the spirited, the non-so-involved, the loud ones and the quiet ones and more. Every one of the people who walked the grounds of our campus had a part in making it what it is today and I am excited to discover that story. There was so much good today and I am not so sure I would call it a stroke of luck. Someone has been watching over me and hoping that I stay on path and as I journey into the past, I hope that all I discover can  help me reshape my future. 

~:[CH6 - Day 119]:~ Until the Very End

~:[CH6 - Day 119]:~ Until the Very End

I was pretty exhausted. I couldn't keep my eyes open at some point and felt like laying down on a bench. I wasn't feeling well today, but, I battled through. I kept hearing my head, "you're not always going to feel your best." I knew I had to battle through the day, but wondered if I really could. From committee to committee, it was nice to see the freshman improve since their first conference in September. This conference can be a little bittersweet, as I send them off into the Model UN world ahead as I get a new batch of kiddos next year. Regardless, I am so proud of all of the students who improved so much! By days end, we had 25 awards including four best delegates. Still exhausted, I dragged myself to the bus and even survived a dinner at Sweetee Thai. As I kept dragging through, I thought to myself, sometimes in our lives, we'll feel exactly this way. We'll think we cannot go on at times and it will feel so miserable. For some it will be worse than others, but regardless, you must know that you need to battle until the very end. Don't give up on yourself, rather, test your limits until you cannot test yourself any further. As while it may be painful or while it may be much easier to lay down and sleep, you are not someone who can give up, who will back down or who will give in. Battle until the very end and who knows, maybe you'll find a treasure buried deep within yourself. 

~:[CH6 - Day 118]:~ A Walk in the City

~:[CH6 - Day 118]:~ A Walk in the City

I walked out of the theater tonight and the man turn towards his wife and says, "you were too nice." As he mentioned how harsh one of the workers of Shen Yun was towards her. I shook my head in disgust at the same guy who took a picture as he left, after him and his wife were told five times not to take pictures along with the four announcements made before the show and at intermission. Twice, disrupting the performance for us. I could have let this ruin my night, but I did not. While I hate when people cannot follow simple rules such as this and think that they are in the right, I did not let this ruin my night at all. I let it go and I soaked in this wonderful performance from such amazing seats. From watching the amazing orchestra to being able to catch every facial expression of the dancers, nothing could ruin this day for me. The dancing was spectacular and they made it seem so easy. I was truly impressed. Even when I walked out, I saw amazing sites from the Disney Concert Hall to city hall at night. I was hoping to possibly catch some of the performers of Shen Yun after the show, but decided, I rather walk around and enjoy the beautiful evening. Regardless, tonight was much like life. There is a lot of things that can bother you, throw you off track or let ruin what you have been working on, but why? The reality of it all is that you need to be in control of your own experiences and your own life. Live life with others, but don't let them control you, especially when it can bring you down. Life is full of so many amazing adventures and experiences that we do not have time to let the bad seeds take up our time. Rather, let's keep it as positive as possible and enjoy the beautiful nights we have to walk through a beautiful city lit up at night. 

~:[CH6 - Day 117]:~ In All Our Differences ... Similarities

~:[CH6 - Day 117]:~ In All Our Differences ... Similarities

With project diversity week in full effect, today was the biggest event of the week, project diversity. It's always interesting to see what they have planned and also how many different cultures we have at our school. While most people think Asian when they think of our school, we truly have a mix of cultures on site. With dances, signing, and acting, the assembly was entertaining. After getting things together, I ended up on the track, as we wrapped up our final meet of the dual meet season. It was a nice way to end the season ... with a sweep. As I thought back on the day as we ate at shabu shabu, I realized that despite our differences, we find more similarities between us. It's always funny how sometimes those things work out. Often times, you only see it in the movies, that is, in discovering our differences, we find that we are actually the same. It's always nice to see our students perform, however, for them to focus on such a deep and personal event, as sky truly is the limit for them. Who knows where each of them will end up, however, I am glad to have known such a diverse group of people who can teach me so much about their cultures so that I may better understand the people of this world. 

~:[CH6 - Day 116]:~ Meet & Greet

~:[CH6 - Day 116]:~ Meet & Greet

Today was all about getting ready for Huntington in class and all about getting ready for league at practice. With today being our final practice together, it was a bittersweet moment, as I left knowing that after today, this group would be no longer as a whole. It's a  yearly process that has gotten more regular, but it doesn't mean it's any easier. Throughout life, you meet all kinds of people in all kinds of settings and my students always become a big part of my life. The rest of the day was all about that, meeting people. My stomach wasn't settled and maybe it was because I wasn't the most comfortable going to a social setting. The introvert in me came forward and so I knew I had to dress the part to help myself get out of the box. Of course, it was a lot easier to have your friend introduce you to everyone in the world since she knows everyone. That made it a lot easier and I survived the night with a handful of friends made by night's end. Before going home, I stopped off at Caffe Bene and relaxed a bit so that I could recover. I became one of the worst types of customers as I heard my drink called, but in reality, I heard it wrong and I don't think it was my drink. They fixed it all, but I felt bad for awhile that I made that mistake. One of our alumni at our school helped open this place up and while I didn't run into her, as I was hoping to schedule an interview for our 50th anniversary film, there is that hope that it will happen if I keep stopping by here. I doubt it, but you never know. In any case, by night's end, I felt good about the day as through my students, my athletes and friends, I found comfort in a little conversation, something that doesn't come easy for everyone. However, being surrounded by such amazing people, it makes life a lot easier. How am I so lucky?

~:[CH6 - Day 115]:~ Wrapping It Up

~:[CH6 - Day 115]:~ Wrapping It Up

It's that time of year again. The fine tuning has begun as we begin to wrap up the season. Our final hard workouts are beginning to appear and athletes have begun to improve on their marks and look stronger overall. With one of our high jumpers reaching the 5' mark with room to spare, the vaulters improving, the distance runners gaining speed and more, it's great to see how they have progressed over the course of the year. It's a little bittersweet when you have a team you've enjoyed coaching as you realize it will be just about a week before you only have a handful of them left. Regardless, I've enjoyed working with them and enjoyed seeing them grow. With the end of the year here, it also meant meeting time. As always, there were changes galore and big issues made out of nothing, but at the end of the day, it's all petty. There's too much good going on in life to worry about those things and all you can do is focus on what you need to take care of for the greater good of those around you. By day's end, I was exhausted, but there's no other way I would have it. This feeling means you've done a lot and while sadness reigns with the end of the season near, it feels good knowing that progress was made. 

~:[CH6 - Day 114]:~ I am a Don

~:[CH6 - Day 114]:~ I am a Don

I didn't know what to expect when I posted this. I thought, it's going to take me a few months before I could get enough contacts to begin the process of interviewing people or taking the time to tell their stories in a short feature. Little did I know that Dons are forever. In less than a day, I've already been contacted by students from the first class of the school, by my former students and classmates, by parents of my students, former staff members and more. I've always been proud to be at Cerritos High School, but today, I am not sure if I have ever been more proud. I loved being at the school as a student involved in sports, ASB, MUN and clubs. The dances and events were great, my classmates were great and I loved the staff as well. Everywhere I went, I bragged about how great our school was. I never expected to be back to the school once I graduated; however, for over half my life, I have been at Cerritos High School, continuously learning more and more about being a Don and becoming even more proud that I am one. In about four years time, we will be celebrating our 50th year as a school. When the school first opened, students attended school at Gahr HS before the school actually finished the current campus and slowly the school grew into the school we know of today. As I close my eyes and image how the school has transformed, all the stories I am now being told, the great accomplishments of our students, the influence that teachers had on their students, the love that was found on campus, the connection to family at the school and more, have transformed the once very basic sketches into a vivid reality that is the spirit of Cerritos High. I can only image the stories I will get over the course of the next few years, as I meet the various alumni who are spread across this planet, hoping that I can capture the meaning of being a Don. I am not sure what all the reasons were that I decided to ask permission to begin on this project, but now that I've begun, I am excited for the journey that is ahead. I've already know of some of the talented people that have walked through our halls such as actors, musicians, lawyers, humanitarians, doctors, authors, teachers, military leaders, entrepreneurs and more, but I know I will discover that aside from all the amazing roles, positions and accomplishments of people that have come out of Cerritos High School, that they were amazing, caring and incredible people, who are ready to show the world the Cerritos Way. I am not sure how this project will transform over the course of the next four years, however, her legends that were once untold, may soon be revealed, as I cannot wait to meet all the Dons of this world who have been the guardian, shield and guide for this world and who built the foundation for a factory that has produced so many great individuals. In a matter of hours, I have begun to hear stories from them and hopefully, I'll be lucky enough to meet as many of them as possible. To all those Dons I've already met, I cannot wait to see you again and to all those I have yet to meet, I am excited for the days ahead.  My name is Jason Watanabe and I am proud to be a Don. 

50th Anniversary Film Information Request:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9YJRpBPVjEV4IdiI1CuWlegnzr2I2XaXjx7gv_gqdn5e3Xg/viewform?usp=sf_link

~:[CH6 - Day 113]:~ Find Your Way

~:[CH6 - Day 113]:~ Find Your Way

The photo didn't capture the beauty I was seeing all around me. For some reason, the drive felt like heaven. I wasn't tired despite staying up late and I kept smiling because it was so beautiful around me. My mind was at ease and it truly ended like a vacation. I drove four hours straight before I stopped and only because I needed gas. I felt that refreshed. When inputting the destination into the GPS, I thought about how we all have our goals in life for where we are headed. Sometimes, traffic gets in the way and reroutes us and on occasion we are left without our GPS at all. The drive can be frustrating, difficult, challenging or like today, simply wonderful. Regardless, I think it's important for us to all find our way. To find what we are passionate about and head in that direction and not be discouraged by the detours and challenges that we may face. Sometimes, our route will take longer than expected and in other cases, we may never arrive at our final destination or pick a new one. Regardless, when we lose our way, we must follow our minds, our hearts, and our souls to guide us to our destination. As I pondered this on the fairly smooth drive home, I kept smiling because for today, I knew exactly where I was headed with a clear head and a direction in mind. 

~:[CH6 - Day 112]:~ The Foundation

~:[CH6 - Day 112]:~ The Foundation

As I peered over the city, I saw a place of great memories, but also a place of failure, of disappointment, of love lost, and a place where many have hit rock bottom. Life is a challenge and it doesn't always give off the vibrant colors of flowers and the sky is not always blue. More and more as I have had time to ponder life itself on this trip, the disappointments through the weekend were expected, the revelations to myself were at times painful, and the struggles at times were all too real. However, despite life putting up such a difficult challenge for us all, we have a foundation that I knew existed all along, but it can be refreshing when you are minded that this foundation exists. For those who have spent years building up this foundation, you will find that even in the toughest of moments spread across all this territory, it will hold you up, no matter what weight falls upon you. It will keep the sky blue and the flowers as vibrant as ever. As each time a challenge arose, it was the words and support of a friend who helped me keep my life stable whether it be a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand or even just an ear to listen to what you have to say. You may not realize it, but each and every day, you add to this foundation when you take care of your friends, when you send them a random caring text, give them a big hug, or spend time with them, even if you say nothing at all. As I ventured around the city and reconnected with friends this weekend, I saw how every ounce of effort put into building a foundation was worth it and I hope that my friends know that I will be there as a foundation for them as well. A city built on sand will soon disappear, but one where the time and energy is built on a foundation that is ready to withstand the test of time, will last a lifetime. I sometimes wonder how I am so lucky to have friends who are so caring, selfless, and loving, but then, I don't think I should waste my time wondering, as I need to use all of that energy providing those same things to my friends as well. As while at times I have fallen prey to the challenges of life, whenever I fall, I am comforted to know that there will be someone there to catch me. Likewise, to you my friends, I will be waiting to the day I can be the foundation you need in this challenging world in which we live. 

~:[CH6 - Day 111]:~ The Moments We Capture

~:[CH6 - Day 111]:~ The Moments We Capture

This is what vacation is like I guess. Sleeping, relaxing and just enjoying what is around you. It gives you time to clear your head, to think and to simply cleanse your soul. I've been lucky enough to catch up with a few friends while I was here, as we caught up and talked about life. In one of my conversations, we talked about the movie the Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Two things that stood out to me in that movie is that the cover photo is about your every day person and that sometimes the most precious moments in your life, you keep for yourself. I think for one, the "common" person is actually one of the most heroic. They have to deal with the daily grind of survival, helping others and moving tirelessly from one task to another. They may not be in the spotlight, but the things they do are just as incredible (if not more so) than those who are "famous." Instead of idolizing those who are famous, we can truly idolize those who have the qualities of which we hope to have in the future. To me it's selflessness and generosity, loving, hard working, focused, dedicated, trustworthy, positive, and simply a genuine person among other qualities. These qualities are not something you have to be born with, but qualities of people who I would love to have around me, as they will remind me of what I need to do every day. With those skills, not only will I have something to strive for, but I will create great memories with them for the rest of my life. As while riches and fame can only be temporary, these qualities will last a lifetime. The other point is allowing the moment being captured to simply be your own. I think being a photographer, I try to capture so many moments in life that sometimes I lose myself in the moment and fail to truly capture the moment for myself. Sometimes, you need not capture the moment through the lens, but rather through the heart and soul. Whether it's a beautiful sunset, a delicious meal or the most precious moment with a friend. A picture cannot always capture all aspects of that moment, so I (along with others) should remember to soak in that moment and capture it for ourselves. To not post every moment of our lives as in the process we lose the opportunity to truly capture those precious moments for ourselves. Throughout a day, I captured a number of great photographs to share with the world, but while those could be seen as amazing, the most amazing are the moments that I capture for myself, that are only stored in the memory of my heart, mind and soul. 

~:[CH6 - Day 110]:~Californian Dreamin'

~:[CH6 - Day 110]:~Californian Dreamin'

We had a great interval workout and then pho gathering to celebrate a birthday before heading our own ways for the break. It was to be our last practice for spring break and I was Californian Dreamin'. I actually didn't know until last night where I would be headed, but I decided upon NorCal and stopped off at Monterey on the way up to San Jose. It was a nice quick stop, but the area was packed due to an event that was happening up here. Regardless, the drive was fairly smooth and because of traffic, I was rerouted along a new path that allowed me to see new things. People ask me if it gets boring driving for that long alone in a car. My answer? Not a chance. Sometimes I do get tired, but there is so much to see and enjoy around that you completely forget that you're driving and even mores so, that you're alone. California has a way to mesmerize you and today simply proved it. Despite the 1 not being open due to the weather, the drive was still wonderful and well worth the time and energy. I ended the night with a nice Korean dinner with Allen and how else would you end a wonderful day? In a nice hotel of course. The hotel was fabulous and I know I'll enjoy my few days up here. It's time to kick up my feet and enjoy, as I'm already Californian Dreamin'.

~:[CH6 - Day 109]:~All Those Refreshing Things

~:[CH6 - Day 109]:~All Those Refreshing Things

There are a number of things in life that are just truly refreshing and for each of us, it is different. For me, it's spending time with family and friends, relaxing while writing, playing games or watching TV, and of course, eating and cooking. Today must have been quite refreshing because I got to do all of the above. After waking up for practice, I hit the weight room, then spent lunch with my cousin who goes to UCI. It was nice to catch up and made me glad that she was nearby and doing well. I walked around and enjoyed the OC for a bit before heading home to cook. I had eaten cold udon yesterday and figured that I could make my own version of it. It worked out perfectly and made me happy. It was a pretty light day overall, but all the things I did, made me feel better and filled me with energy and motivation to do more. As I read stories and hear about how others handle life, I am reminded that while it's important to make money to survive and while there are so many things in the world that you want to have or want to do, when it all comes down to it, doing the things you love and loving those who are around you are more valuable than anything else and are the things that make life great; that make it refreshing. We often get caught up in all of these issues and can sometimes be blinded to that fact, but when push comes to shove, don't forget those around you, give generously, love unconditionally, and live your life and do all things with a passion that is unrivaled. 

~:[CH6 - Day 108]:~ It's an Honor

~:[CH6 - Day 108]:~ It's an Honor

We were lucky enough to visit the Board of Supervisors of LACO meeting today. Our juniors were recognized for their excellence for Model UN and I was excited that they were to receive this additional honor. This group had a tough road and while we had our stumbling blocks, I do know that they grew because of it all. It's not always going to be an easy road, but often times if you keep pushing through, you eventually find your way to a place you never expected. It felt weird to have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy time at home and time with the family, which allowed me to reflect. Sometimes, you take the pessimistic approach to things and that blinds you from seeing the progress that was made, the steps forward taken, and the risk one took on to reach new heights. Yesterday, I wrote about when we all find our wings to fly and with the time to sit and think back, I do see that there were many of these juniors who took flight this year. It may not have been easy, but it was definitely an honor to work with this group and today's ceremony was a honor they deserved. My glass was once half empty, but now, it is full and overflowing at that. Keep your eyes open to help you see that often times we overlook all the good that is growing right in front of your eyes. 

Thank you to Supervisor Janice Hanh, Lynda Johnson and Phoebe Liu for arranging this special day for all of these students. 

~:[CH6 - Day 107]:~ The Day We Fly

~:[CH6 - Day 107]:~ The Day We Fly

I hate the beach. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Yet, there is something magical about it that keeps me returning back time after time. The beach brings back painful memories of the past, the water has been a villain, yet it always has served as a place that mends my heart and soul. I think we all get that way. We struggle through life trying to make things work and time after time we fail, we flutter. We had hopes to soar, yet those hopes get dashed, as we end up back on the ground. Even when we do fly, we go nowhere or even backward, breaking our spirit and our hope for what is ahead. Yet, despite hating the beach, I keep returning. Maybe it's because the athletes love this place so much, maybe it's calling my name, or maybe it's simply because I refuse to give up. At some point in our lives we find that challenge that has plagued us for so long. It's easy for us to find another way, to go a different route, or to find a new place completely, but is that the best choice for us in the long run. A broken heart is devastating, a broken spirit is life altering, yet giving up on what we hope and dream for knowing all too well that we can ... what can we call that? As I ran along the beach through the flock of seagulls appreciating the view around me, I realized that I must continue to flutter until I find the day where I begin flying, overcoming all that I could not overcome before. Each of us has our journey and each of us will have our challenge, but no matter how different our challenge is, we have the same common goal, to see if we can in fact fly. I am rooting for you all and cannot wait until the day that you too will be soaring through the air in a majestic sky, even if it's in a place that I hate. It's painful being here, but how else will I mend my heart and soul so I have what I need to keep trying so I may join the flock. One day you will. One day I will. 

~:[CH6 - Day 106]:~ Music to the Heavens

~:[CH6 - Day 106]:~ Music to the Heavens

The church and scriptures guide us, but it is up to us to walk alongside the Lord. Even in my struggles in my walk, I've made it a point to try and do what I can to resemble the qualities we hope to display in our walk. Reaching out to others, giving of ourselves, and passing on a message to all those willing to hear it among other things. As we do these things, it becomes music to the heavens. As I spent time with others today, I saw a lot of this goodness and it made me happy to realize the good people that surround me. Even in my exhaustion on this day and with things not working out to plan, I was content, because there is always something greater than what I hope for and in the process of it all, the day played out just fine. I was lucky enough to enjoy a double header of the show Into the Woods with the incredibly talented Anthony Chatmon and the cast. I was thoroughly impressed by the different roles that each of them had to play and the seamless transitions that made it flow, but also made it wildly entertaining. From playing instruments, to singing, to dancing and acting, each of these individuals showed qualities that brought joy to the audience and I am happy to say that I was one of those members. As I drove away from the Ahmanson, after spending the day in LA, I realized the feeling of how the music and performances of the casts impacted me as they put themselves into their roles in order to entertain us all. The feeling left a tune humming in my mind and made me think about how life itself is our stage. It's our opportunity to show all that we are, our faults and all, and give the best performance we can in the eyes of the Lord. He's always watching, hoping that the sacrifice made, allow us the opportunities that we have. While we may be guided, it is up to us if we end up making music that we can send to the heavens and much like the cast of Into the Woods, I hope that we all use the stage to praise Him.

~:[CH6 - Day 105]:~ We Didn't Finish First

~:[CH6 - Day 105]:~ We Didn't Finish First

We didn't finish first in our race, but does it even matter? No, we shouldn't receive a participation trophy, but you always give respect when it's due and these boys deserve just that. In one of the toughest fields they faced all year, they battled, finishing just 15 seconds out of first. We could have made up that time with some improvements, yet a 4:36-4:35-4:44-4:33 combination is quite impressive, considering they broke our school record twice this year. It took a little time to get this team assembled as they slowly lowered their time over the past few years, but finally, we found the right combination, as they PRed on their final outing together. They will not to race again on a relay together, as one of the four is a senior, and for that I am sad. We didn't finish first, but they definitely won in my heart, as they left it all on the track, they battled, but more importantly, they grew together. They became one and in turn, they truly became interconnected, more so than just the baton that they carry. Often times, track can become such an individual sport, yet though they have each excelled individually, together, they have risen to the top. Between them, they own two relay records, the top 1600m freshman and sophomore marks, the top 3200m freshman mark, the school record in the 3200m and a number of top five marks. What more will they accomplish? Who knows, but regardless of what happens beyond this, I will be proud to have been able to work with them. Next year, we will begin the process with a new team, but today, I will soak it all in. They ran in jerseys that commemorated the history of Cerritos with a jersey design from the 1980s and their run today was just like it, one for the history books. 

~:[CH6 - Day 104]:~ We Need a Villain

~:[CH6 - Day 104]:~ We Need a Villain

My friend and I were talking in the morning as she said we need very bad people and very bad moments in our lives so that we can find very good people and very good moments. While I do not wish or even like that we had bad moments in our lives, it also gives way to people who may blend in to rise up among the crowd. It was such a deep and meaningful conversation and while it's so easy to look so pessimistically towards these bad moments and people, you can also view it as an opportunity. Today saw no villains, only the people I consider very good people. With my scheduling panning out perfectly, I was able to join these friends at the Magic Castle and wander through the many shows the castle had to offer. While I was amazed at all the wonderful tricks and illusions created in the various shows, I was more amazed at how wonderful my friends are and how lucky I am to have them in my life. Sometimes you just need a few moments to remind yourself of that fact and tonight was that moment. With a busy schedule, you often forget to treat those who are good with the time that they deserve, so I hope you take some time this weekend or in the next week to remind them how special they are to you. Yes, sometimes we need a villain or villainous moment to allow for these amazing people to show their face, but what we should remember is that these people are already implanted in the world around us if we're looking close enough. Be grateful to them and more importantly cherish them, as these very good people are hard to find. It's not illusion, as these people truly make life magical. 

~:[CH6 - Day 103]:~ Spring Cleaning

~:[CH6 - Day 103]:~ Spring Cleaning

The first 100 days seems to often be a day where you can look back and to analyze, how am I doing this year? Are the resolutions set on January 1st a distant memory or have I kept up with them? What do I need to work on? Where do I go from here? It's a good time to truly reflect and to figure things out. With all that went wrong on this day including a dead speaker, a few athletes who didn't show up, and just the craziness of the last day before break, Spring break often falls on or around the 100th day of the year and with the time off, it allows you to clear you mind and figure things out. Overall it seems like things are flowing. My team looked strong, classes are going well, and I feel that personally I am in a good place. I wish that I could fix things around me, but those will be projects that I will work on until they can be resolved as best as possible. As I begin to clean up what needs to be cleaned up and fix what needs to be repaired, at least I know that this day was blessed with a beautiful sky that reminded me that despite all that may be wrong, there is beauty all around us. We had a great team dinner to celebrate our victory and to finish off the week with the biggest group that we've had this year after a meet and that in itself was a sign that the cleaning ahead will not be as challenging as in years past. As while things can always be better, you cannot complain when things are already this good.

~:[CH6 - Day 102]:~ Leap of Faith

~:[CH6 - Day 102]:~ Leap of Faith

Have you ever had that weak in the knees moment as you stood high above the ground, wondering if you could jump? That moment when the challenge you face seems insurmountable, yet, you're ready to take that leap of faith to see if you can in fact fly? Life has a way to cloud your vision so you lose sight of what you are capable of. It makes you stop when you should go, stay silent when you should sing, and frown when you should smile. Life doesn't always guide you to the places that you should be, but sometimes you need to make your own path. I dreamed of a day where I would drive endlessly in a direction, not knowing what I would find, as in my life, the circles on which I have driven have brought me back to point A countless times. It is only when I realized that I was capable of so much more did I grow and become who I am. I still proceed forward on this journey, only knowing a small fraction of what lies beyond, but taking that first leap of faith allows you to break the surface before you find a way to anchor you way into the ground, so you may grown strong and tall. I once doubted that my leap would result in anything more than another disappointment when I found myself flat on the ground, but now, there is hope that every leap going forward will help me discover what more I can do in life. We all have our doubts, our shortcomings and lack something in our lives, but that should not be what holds us back from our potential or at least trying to figure out what we are capable of. So many people are trying to hold us back from what we can become and they have clouded our ability to see that we all have the capability to fly if we just have the courage to spread our wings. I see that potential every day, walking the halls of our schools, as I talk to family and friends and as I gaze upon a stranger, but my view is pointless unless you can see your potential and act on it. As while you may find yourself on the ground time after time, with enough courage, hope and faith, you'll find your wings and you will fly.

~:[CH6 - Day 101]:~ A Day Late

~:[CH6 - Day 101]:~ A Day Late

Please Support the Kim Family - https://www.gofundme.com/the-kim-fire-recovery-fund

It's a day late, but I would like to wish a Nationals Sibling Day shout out to my brother who has always been there for me since day 1. He watched me when I was small and crawled into my crib just to spend time with me. We always played dress up and of course, I still am a clown and he still is a superhero. I've always wondered through why we always idolize superheroes and look towards them to "save" us. It's a romanticist concept, as these superheroes are not the ones that are going to save you in life. Who is? The ordinary brother, mother or father, friend, classmate or colleague who may not have any superpower other than a good, loving heart, a strong will, deep faith or a caring soul. Shouldn't we pay more attention to the amazing people around us that those on the big screen who earn millions upon millions of dollars? Sure, maybe in Hollywood, these people are good looking, have some type of special skill, a voice smooth as silk and may be richer than we'll ever know. However, do they even have the greatest and most important qualities that can help save us when we suffer, the celebrate with us when we find success, or to push us when we don't think we could go any further? They may with their own friends and families, but not necessarily with us. Each of us have our own superheroes in our lives and on this day after Nationals Siblings Day, I'd like to celebrate mine and going forward, there will be many more who I'd like to shout out. You see, my heroes appear far from the big screen, as they are all the main characters in my show that I call life and I couldn't be happier. 

~:[CH6 - Day 100]:~ Embracing Life with a Smile

~:[CH6 - Day 100]:~ Embracing Life with a Smile

The Kim Fire Recovery Fund - https://www.gofundme.com/the-kim-fire-recovery-fund

During snack and lunch, my students were working on a mural of sorts. It was a simple drawing, but one that is meaningful, not just to me, but to all of us. While there are some frowns within the mass of drawings, they are overshadowed by the smiles that exist. From time to time, I will write a note or send a message to a friend or student to remind them to smile. Not only do we look better when we do, the smile often has a way to make our days better, whether it is our own or of those around us. There is a lot of things to be sad or upset about, this past week has definitely proven that, however, there is much more to be happy about and embrace and a positive spirit and attitude can conquer all, whether you believe that at this moment or not. There will be a lot of things that will try to drag you down and sometimes, those stages are endless. Don't get discouraged, don't act out in anger or rage, rather smile and hope that you can be the one to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. So to you I send a smile and this is one I hope you pass along, as we should all embrace this wonderful life with a smile. 

~:[CH6 - Day 99]:~ Diplomatic or Not

~:[CH6 - Day 99]:~ Diplomatic or Not

Help Support the Kim Family

There was definitely good diplomacy among some of our top students as we had a very successful weekend at UC Irvine. The conference conflicted with another conference, so the draw to the conference wasn't so large. However, the conference was well run and definitely a great experience for all those who attended. In the eight committees we were in, we ended up with five gavels (six people) with an additional 31 receiving awards! The students were involved and engaged for the most part, which is greater than what an award can tell me. With my evening plans canceled, I thought I would end up at home, yet I ended up at the TC with some alumni who gathered as we chatted about an array of things. As former MUN students, their diplomacy went out the door, but it was a fun an entertaining evening which I enjoyed. Of course, the topping on the day was the continued generosity of those around us, as we ended up reaching our second goal pretty easily, raising over $4500 in a single day. I am impressed. Tonight, I will sleep well knowing how great and wonderful the people around me are, from donations to taking the time to spread the word, they have gone above and beyond to help change the lives of those whose lives have been changed. 

~:[CH6 - Day 98]:~ The True Champions

~:[CH6 - Day 98]:~ The True Champions

Help Support the Kim Family

Today was Arcadia. So many athletes aim to get into the meet and only a handful succeed in doing so. It was the first time in a number of years that i have had an athlete compete in the event, as last year, I had a qualifier who was unable to compete due to injury. It was awesome to have this experience, but it definitely was a slightly intimidating one. While he didn't jump to his PR, he still battled a sore knee and ended up placing in fifth place. It was not the mark he was hoping for, but simply competing and being here is what makes him a champion. He's has a lot of motivation now to get better, work harder so that he can stand atop the podium, but just the fact that he's out there, makes me proud. It was also a great day as I caught up with former athletes who were at the meet. It always is amazing to catch up with former students and athletes to see where they are going. To think about how much they have grown since I worked with them, inspires me to work harder every day. After lunch with my cousin, we headed back home. After a little time with my family, I met with the Kim family. As we met trying to get everything setup for the GoFundMe and more, the mom wouldn't let me pay for our drinks at the tea shop. After facing what the family did, she still was gracious enough to cover the costs of the drinks for us all. It made me more motivated to do whatever I can to help this family. After I got home, I kept seeing the family sitting together around the table. I know they are still facing their struggles, but to see them smile together made me realize something, that love and family is the true champion in our lives. The family faced another setback and there will be challenging times ahead because of it all, but together, they can overcome this. Just like my athletes, they will have moments where they fall short, they may not be blessed with everything that others may have around them, they may face obstacles such as the pains my athlete today had, but with the love and support of friends and family, I felt in my heart that in the end they will win. As I sat here and finished up this blog, I was touched by the outpouring of support and love from everyone from those that know the family to those who just saw it from a distance or on a post on Facebook. My heart that ached just two days ago is beginning to feel the mends that will bind it together even stronger than it was before. As today was truly a day of champions - athletes, family, friends and even strangers. 

~:[CH6 - Day 97]:~ Rumor Has It

~:[CH6 - Day 97]:~ Rumor Has It

I was pretty tired when I got to school, mostly from the emotional drain that took place last night. I dragged through the day a bit as we prepped for UCI. However, I made it to the end of the day, enjoyed a great day with the team on a food run and wrapped up the week. Of course, as our principal says, Cerritos never sleeps. It does not. I ventured out to see our play rumors since it was the only night I could. It was awesome. With a small cast set in a single scene, the actors captivated the audience and ultimately left us in awe with the story they told with all their emotions. It was hilarious and pretty much all was on point. As the song played as we walked out, the words "rumor has it" repeated in my mind as I only could think, "rumor has it" that I am lucky to work with such talented students and individuals. This production demonstrated how amazingly talented our students were, something that is commonplace when I am on our campus. In all facets, our school demonstrated the multi-talented students and staff that we have and I am left proud each time I come across something that they produce. I am still exhausted, but this was exactly what I needed right now to take my mind away from all the emotional stress of yesterday. My mind still wanders worrying, but at least tonight, my mind could focus on this amazing production. In both the good times and the bad though I am reminded that "rumor has it" that I am the luckiest person alive, as I am surrounded by people who are talented, who are hard working, who can endure and persevere and who demonstrated qualities that I hope to reflect as I continue on in my life. It's no rumor, I am blessed because I am a Don.

~:[CH6 - Day 96]:~ The Strength to Move On

~:[CH6 - Day 96]:~ The Strength to Move On

https://www.gofundme.com/the-kim-fire-recovery-fund

As I stood on the corner, I really didn't know what to say. I was thankful that no one was injured, but struggled with the situation. My heart ached knowing that this family that had already suffered through so much faced another obstacle in their path. I wrote a lot recently about the ups and downs of life, about growing due to hardships, and keeping a positive outlook, but I can't even imagine how challenging of a situation this is compiled on top of all else. As I stood from afar wondering where the black smoke was coming from and where the emergency vehicles and helicopters were heading a few hours earlier, I never would have imagined it would be this house. Why this house? Why this family? My heart still aches. From a family with a story of so much goodness, of so much sacrifice and that has welcomed so many despite the difficulties they face, tonight was hard to take. Everything else from the day really didn't matter, how could it? I sit here searching my soul for answers, yet keep cycling through not finding what I am looking for. I may never arrive at an answer, but all I can think of is that we need each other to gain the strength to move on; we need to trust in the Lord to guide us through the darkness; we need to keep the right mindset knowing that we will find the light at the end of the tunnel; and we need not give up, but keep fighting, as we can survive any situation with will and trust. I sat heartbroken as I finished up my dinner on the corner of the street, hopeful that the Lord will watch over this family, mend their spirits, grow their faith despite these tragedies, and help them find the road to recovery. I was inspired by the mass amount of people who stopped by to help, realizing that our strength move on comes from the Lord, but also from those around us who love, care and support us in the good times and bad.  My heart still aches, but my spirit is very much alive knowing that when the pain from the heart is removed, that we will discover the strength to move on to fight and to survive. 

~:[CH6 - Day 95]:~ The Ups and Downs

~:[CH6 - Day 95]:~ The Ups and Downs

Life is full of them. Sometimes things are good and we're floating along and the next, we're down on the ground, icing our injuries away. If we floating along our entire life, we'd be privileged and when a difficult situation came our way, we may not know exactly what to do. Life is about figuring out what to do in tough situations. We all have those stretches of time where things are just not going right, but those who are the strongest, are those who have suffered the most hardships. They have been knocked down and have gotten back up again and again. While it takes a good support group around you to help you back up, ultimately, those tough times are what make you better able to handle what is ahead. With time and care, the pains of the past will slowly disappear and while other pains may appear, you'll be prepared for what's ahead. Fear not what is ahead, as the tests that lie ahead are just opportunities to learn and grow and to become someone who can rise up to a challenge. There will be disappoints, but in those disappointments are opportunities to find greatness; a greatness that lies within you. As I was surrounded my by athletes today, as upset as I was at them for a moment, I saw an opportunity for them and was thankful that I have such a wonderful group of athletes to work with everyday. Everyday will not be like a bed of roses, but knowing that they will all one day bloom is enough for me at this moment. 

~:[CH6 - Day 94]:~ Piecing It All Together

~:[CH6 - Day 94]:~ Piecing It All Together

Sometimes, you don't need a plan. Sometimes, it works out if you have a little spontaneity in your life. When I walked into the market, I was thinking about what to have for lunch, walking out with what I would be making for dinner. I found vegetables lying around the house and quickly cooked up dinner. Life is like that sometimes. You cannot plan for everything and sometimes you need to use your experiences, your wit and your creativity in order to make something work. It may not look like a five star dish, but there isn't a reason why you shouldn't be proud of the work that you ended up making. I am typically very big on planning, but I've allowed myself a bit of room lately to grow by allowing things to simply happen. Will it work out in the end? I have no idea, but "winging it" may just help me find the pieces I have been looking for to make life complete. Often times, a dish we make is missing just that one thing before it feels like it's perfect and I hope that this process helps me find those pieces that I have searched for. Tonight, I found pleasure in figuring out how to complete this dish, tomorrow, I use the experience to help me figure out where to head to next. I may get lost along the way, but that's what makes life interesting. 

~:[CH6 - Day 93]:~ A Guessing Game

~:[CH6 - Day 93]:~ A Guessing Game

Today was an important day as WASC came by. It worked out that I didn't have to do any special planning or switch my schedule around, as my activity fell perfectly on the day of the visit. The guessing activity is always one of my favorites to try and see the students figure out the issues and also use their newly developed MUN skills to figure out the answers within their group. It made me think how life is just like this, a guessing game. While we base our decisions off of knowledge we gain through life experiences, ultimately, our choices are just that, guesses. We form our hypothesis and hope that it ends up going well. If it doesn't, we end up going back to the drawing board and if it does, we enjoy the success we have until another choice comes our way. All of us are going to make the wrong choice, but even after a string of wrong choices, the right one can get us back on track. We cannot allow ourselves to let bad choices get us off track and while we want to limit these bad choices using our experiences, when we do make one, I hope that we can all not lose our way. This activity would have been much more difficult had we had the students do this alone, but just like in life, they each had their own circle of peers to work with them to try to solve each of the problems out. Remember, that life is full of these tough decisions, trust in yourself, but also don't forget that there are a circle of people around you waiting to help you make the best decision. 

~:[CH6 - Day 92]:~ Detour

~:[CH6 - Day 92]:~ Detour

Sometimes when you have plans, they go south. For a second week in a row, my plans changed and I ended up back among the flowers. It's easy to get upset that things didn't work out or to just veg out, wasting away a day, but I've learned that you make the most of the opportunity and ended up driving back down south. The conditions were not as good as last week, without clouds keeping the heat in check, nonetheless, it was another great day of shooting. When there is no expectation, sometimes it's all the better as it was a relaxing hike with a lot of photo ops. I was also able to catch a nap and veg on top of it all, so I ended up with the best of both worlds. Hopefully, my plans ahead don't get altered too much, but when they do, I'll keep reminding myself that I cannot let that disappointment keep me from having a wonderful day. I guess adaptation is our greatest tool in life, as when things change, we need to learn to change so that we don't miss out on great opportunities that will quickly pass us by. 

~:[CH6 - Day 91]:~ Time to Fly

~:[CH6 - Day 91]:~ Time to Fly

I woke up and headed to another meet today, this time, without the distance team. It was nice to linger around and just be able to soak it all in and enjoy the races. It could have been better had the race been more efficient, as we left without knowing most of the times, but it was nice to see many great performances on the day. I think one of the greatest things about the job is going through the whole process and being with someone when they realize that they can fly. We all have the potential to fly, it's just a matter when we begin to believe in ourselves and our abilities. I always try to remind athletes that they have the potential to really take off if they put their mind to it, however, more often than not, they end up stop believing in themselves or sell themselves short. To all, I am hoping that life can give you the confidence that you seek out as gaining this confidence is half the battle. You can train all that you want and then some, but will it ultimately go to waste if you do not have the mindset that helps you succeed. Today, I saw a number of athletes gain that confidence and despite the delays and the wind, it was a wonderful day, as I saw a load full of athletes ready to fly.