~:[CH6 - Day 181]:~ What You've Scene

~:[CH6 - Day 181]:~ What You've Scene

What do you do when you've seen many of the tourists sites in Seoul? You use Korean dramas to find new places to visit. The Best Hit is a ongoing drama and one of the scenes was shot at Mecenatpolis Mall. I liked to look of it and was glad that it stayed the way it was. It had a pretty good design to it and there were a few stores to check out while I was there. I was also able to wander by the Han River, caught up with another friend in Hongdae, with a quick stop in Apgujeong. Earlier in the day, after I did a little searching around Anguk including Unhyeongung and Insadong, I had the pleasure to touring around Geyongbokgung Palace and Myeongdong with two alumni who also happened to be in Seoul. It was great catching up and and eating them. There were some quite comical moments as we searched for a restaurant that had moved, as we wondered why Google Maps misdirected us, knowing that it wasn't too dependable here anyway. Regardless, it ended up being a pretty good last day before I had to head in to start getting my stuff together for tomorrow's early flight to my final stop for Asia. While we had our moments of drama (on the comedic side), there was no need to regret stopping here in Seoul, as while it was a quick stopover on the way to Tokyo, there were some great moments and catchups that I definitely am glad I did not miss. I will be back. I promise. 

~:[CH6 - Day 180]:~ Just Wandering

~:[CH6 - Day 180]:~ Just Wandering

I wandered the streets of Seoul as I made my way through Myeongdong, Insadong, Gangnam and Hongdae before calling it a day. Of course, the reason I made a quick stop in Seoul ... the food. There was definitely no way I was going to be able to finish this, but having good quality food in front of me, I ate as much as possible and my waistline will probably pay the price. I was starting to lose a little bit of weight on the trip, but I'm sure I'll put it back on the next few days with all the good food in front of me. I'm not really here to tour, just to wander the streets, eat and catch up, so it will be a nice relaxing time. I took care of a little bit of planning for the next few days and my friend came over from Gangnam to hang out just for a bit, which was a great ending to what was mostly a travel day. Regardless, I missed being in Seoul and love their transit system so much. I definitely should have stayed here a few more days, but I guess, I'll just have to come back. I closed out the night watching Kdramas and watching Kpop music videos without subtitles, pretty much what I dealt with all day. I guess all my practice paid off just a bit, as I understood a lot, but didn't do a good job in responding. That will need some work and I'm not sure if one more day here will do the trick. Regardless, much like when we explore in our own lives, we discover a lot of new things and so far, I've encountered a few things here and there and I hope tomorrow is the same. Don't be afraid to wander to places you have not yet explored as you'll never really know what you'll discover!

~:[CH6 - Day 179]:~ Land of the Thunder Dragon

~:[CH6 - Day 179]:~ Land of the Thunder Dragon

I finally arrived in Bangkok, ready to make my move to Seoul. My flight got delayed so I had an opportunity to sit down and reflect on the past four days. It's nice because I feel connected to the world, but am I truly connected? Being disconnected for most of the day in Bhutan was actually quite nice. Catching up on a pile of messages being sent to me was a little rough, but all in all, it allowed me to soak in what I was experiencing and allowing me to see all that was around me. Bhutan is known as the land of the thunder dragon and almost every day I was there, thunder would roar overhead. However, while it may be fitting for some reasons, I think it leaves it with an image that is off with what it is actually like. I think the intimidating image of a dragon is different than the welcoming smile of the people of Bhutan. It its simplicity, you find the goodness within people. While they may not have skyscrapers that reach the clouds or while their airport consists of a single runway, maybe they have found the balance between globalizing and the values of the people - environment and happiness. I was thrilled to spend the past four days with Sangay and Eugyen, as they did an incredible job of introducing me to this wonderful country. I also met some wonderful people through my interactions as I went from place to place; from the worker at the resort to the people I ran across along the trail to Taktsang. By sitting back and looking at their interactions, you could tell that they have something that many of us have forgotten. Forget our wealth or what we possess, as all of that cannot make up for what many lack. I think it was a great opportunity to reflect on my life and to think, what really matters and how do we go about trying to achieve what they have found. Sure, it's not perfect and it never will be, but what I discovered these past four days have allowed me to hit the reset button and try to realign things to set my route in the right direction. As I stood by a house from the feudal era atop a trail overlooking Paro Valley, I saw not a land of thundering people, but a land of people with such goodness in their heart and happiness in their soul. As the storm rolled in, fitting with the thunder dragon, when I dream of Bhutan, it will be the smile of so many that will play in my mind. May our futures be filled with happiness and smiles. 

~:[CH6 - Day 178]:~ Dreaming of Reality

~:[CH6 - Day 178]:~ Dreaming of Reality

It was something that felt like it was out of a dream, yet today it was reality. With the day being the hottest since I've been here, it was quite the challenge to make my way up. I wore long sleeves and jeans mainly because there are certain requirements for you when you enter the monastery. It made it even more of a challenge. As I made my way up, I regretted not saying yes to taking the horse up, yet as I got further up, I was actually glad I trekked the whole way to Taktsang or the Tigers Nest Monastery. It was about a 3,000 foot elevation gain over the 2.5 mile trail (one way), which includes hundreds of steps right before (and after) visiting the monastery. Once you get a view of Taktsang up close, you'll be amazed, however, when you reach some of the final viewpoints, you'll be left speechless and breathless. The beauty of it is the first thing that comes to mind, then it's, how in the world did they build this on the side of this cliff? It's quite astounding! My guide knew pretty much everything about every detail as he has returned to the monastery over 120 times, however, what was more impressive was the fact that other guides would ask him questions, which showed me just how awesome he was. I couldn't stop taking pictures and couldn't stop soaking in the sight of this place, as no picture could truly capture the beauty. My sole purpose for visiting Bhutan was for Taktsang and I was not let down at all, but along the way, I learned so much and really found a great appreciation for it because of all the aspects of the tour. My body was cramping up and I am sore like mad right now, however, there was not a better way to end this trip than with this moment. Tomorrow, I am left with a few more things before I head off on my flight to my next destination, however, I need to keep pinching myself, as I do not believe that today was real. Sometimes in life, we can really make a dream become reality, but it will take a little sweat, a little perseverance and even sometimes a little pain and suffering (okay, a lot of it), in order for us to find what we are looking for. Tonight will be a wonderful night as I know I will sleep well, but today will be a day where I left one of my dreams to allow it to become a reality. 

~:[CH6 - Day 177]:~ Devotion

~:[CH6 - Day 177]:~ Devotion

In what has been known as one of the happiest countries in the world over the past decade, Bhutan is nestled in the middle of the Himalayans. They have a system of narrow roads that weave through the mountainside, but with each turn, there is a spectacular view awaiting. While globalization has had an impact on the country, they have done their best to maintain a balance between the core values they hold dear. As I ventured from Paro to Thimphu and wandered around Thimpu, aside from the sales of the marketplace, I noticed something about the people of Bhutan that may answer why this place is one of the happiest countries in the world year after year - their devotion. All the religions in the world promote similar core values; promoting that we all act in a way that promotes goodness, care for all the things around us, and devotion. It would easy to get into a religious debate here, but regardless of the religion you are a part of, truly the most important thing of all is your devotion to your faith in achieving goodness. I think that is one of the things that seems to be right within the walls of this country. I have noticed the people being devout in their faith. I saw a little old lady with a large basket on her back walk to an isolated area to spin the prayer wheels while a monk traveling along the roadside was doing full body prostrations along the way. Even the structure of the government promotes this as the workplace of the King at Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu is divided half for the government and half for Buddhism - the monks and the temple. It's quite astounding. While the introduction of globalization may change this country tucked away among the highest peaks in the world, I think that the devotion I have seen can help them avoid the three positions of delusion, ill will and greed and stay devoted to their faith. In America, as we reach our final stages of life when we retire, we look towards traveling the world and seeing all there is to see in the world. In Bhutan, that final stage (if not their entire life for monks and nuns) is devoted to their faith, as they spend their days at the temple hoping that they have shown goodness in their lives. Regardless of our faith, let's be sure that we are devoted to preserving the goodness in humanity by doing good, but also accepting others by helping them, celebrating with them and loving them, whether they are like you or not. I'm not an expert of religion; I'm far from a perfect person; but maybe, just maybe if we can progress towards this, we will not need to rank countries in terms of happiness, because we will already have found a world of happiness.

~:[CH6 - Day 176]:~ Through the Himalayas

~:[CH6 - Day 176]:~ Through the Himalayas

I was suppose to sleep early before heading to the airport in Bangkok, but with a friend visiting, I ended up with a power nap of 45 minutes. Sadly, it left me a little exhausted. I left the hotel at 1:30am and left for our flight at 4:30am. We stopped in India before heading to Paro. Flights to Paro are limited. There were about eleven pilots who were approved to fly into one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Why is it so dangerous? The airport is situation in a valley between the peaks of mountains which make up the Himalayas. It was one of the most scenic flights I've ever had, but deep down inside, I was a little worried. Regardless, the pilot seemed to easily navigate the difficult route, as we were now in a beautiful valley. My hotel was in this beautiful valley as I got to watch a few planes take off and land here. My guide took me from place to place exploring this beautiful and peaceful place. I am quite glad that they limit the number of people who come here, as it seems as doing that has allowed it to maintain its identity. While they have allowed metals and the like into their construction, all the buildings must maintain the traditional designs of Bhutan on their buildings and must keep their structures below six stories. To see where some of these buildings have been built fathoms my mind and will become even more of a an amazing thing in a few days. I even got to catch an archery tournament where they were shooting the length of one and a half soccer fields and hitting a relatively small target. It was quite impressive. This place is a trekkers paradise as there are a number of trails that can provide days worth of experiences. For the first time in a bit, I had some time to relax and sort through my things, but as I did, I kept looking out the window into the beautiful valley that is Paro. 

~:[CH6 - Day 175]:~ Welcoming the Rain

~:[CH6 - Day 175]:~ Welcoming the Rain

I woke up in the morning and welcomed the rain, the rain shower that is. I thought in the morning, wow, how wonderful it is to shower as if it were in the rain. Of course, the same did not go when we were outside exploring Bangkok. It poured and I mean poured on us today. Luckily, it was after we explored the temples and markets, however, the ride to the sky train was quite miserable. Regardless, it did not ruin a perfectly wonderful day which was highlighted by reuniting with this wonderful couple who own The Sixth, a cafe near Wat Pho. The place was packed, which made me happy and they were just as amazing as ever! I really was so appreciative of how welcoming they were and was definitely blessed to have connected with them. They definitely do an amazing job and I hope that if you're ever in the area that you take a visit! I ended up exploring Bangkok and finding new things I hadn't done before and even served as a bit of a tour guide for my friend, thanks to my wonderful training from Fon! By days end, I was about to take a nap before heading the airport to catch my flight, but my friend messaged me and wanted to catch up. We ended up having a little time to do that before I got my things together and left. While my time in Bangkok was short, it was not any less amazing and memorable and left me with moments I will cherish for the rest of my life. It may have poured on us today, but if it meant that it brought all the wonderful moments I had today, I welcome it with open arms.

~:[CH6 - Day 174]:~ As Luck Would Have It

~:[CH6 - Day 174]:~ As Luck Would Have It

The day didn't necessarily start off so smoothly. My flight was late taking off, I almost knocked myself out while someone else was putting up their suitcases and many of the street vendor areas were in between lunch and night markets. In life, there are mishaps and road bumps, but sometimes, despite it all, things work out in the end. With a phone in hand, I snapped a few shots with my good old Note 4 to capture these magical moments, yes, I was watching Britney Spears on stage live in BANGKOK of all places. As luck would have it, my friend from Manila joined me for the weekend and she realized that Britney was in concert this weekend, which in turn, saved our day. Hers was even worse than mine, as she got lost for about two hours with her driver trying to get to her hotel. Regardless, by days end, after walking the streets of Silom, eating a nice Japanese meal in Thailand (yes, read that again), and getting out of the concert area before most others, it ended up being a day to remember. Did I mention, we saw Britney live on stage in BANGKOK? Oh, I think I did. While she herself has a roller coaster ride through her career, I think today paralleled her life as much as many other people. There will be times where we can let these mishaps ruin our days (or lives), but ultimately, that decision is up to us and we must figure out if its worth allowing ourselves to fall victim to these disappointments and allow them to become failures or if we take those opportunities to turn them into challenges and motivation to excel. As luck would have it, things fell into place by days end, but ultimately, the mishaps allowed me to understand that those moments make the best moments even better. Did I mention that I saw Britney Spears live on stage in BANGKOK? Just checking. 

~:[CH6 - Day 173]:~ Together

~:[CH6 - Day 173]:~ Together

I was on my way to grab breakfast when I saw that they had already arrived. I quickly grabbed a croissant and grabbed my things. It seemed as just as quickly as I did that, the day was sadly over. We enjoyed a day all together at the Chiang Mai Zoo. I was pretty impressed by the size of the zoo and it provided a fairly nice habitat area for many of the animals. The cutest of them all was the tiny baby monkey who grabbed on to its mother as she carried it around from place to place in the pen. We played in the snow dome, where you could go down a slide in a tube and play in a below freezing environment. There were many great moments today, including seeing the panda eat right in front of us, reminding me of the classic couch potato, eating as he watched TV, but nothing was more valuable that simply spending time with everyone, especially Ami. It was truly a blessing to have two days to spend with her and the staff and while there are still quite a few days left on this trip, I don't think that this trip can get any better than this moment. For the most part, this trip was planned to see people and meet people and this was planed out to be the highlight of this very trip. As we moved from the zoo to lunch to shopping, our time was slowly running out. As we said our goodbyes, she asked if I could come back again and my hope is, that after this experience, I will be able to once more. As we talked, I think about how Ami has grown so much over the years and how much it has changed my view on things. How it has made me see and how it has made me grow. I am so grateful for the decision I made nine long years ago and that I decided to stay with it, because these experiences are truly priceless and anything I invested into this, has grown into something that absolutely no one could put a value on. I was sad to see them head off on their way and I only hope that the blessings of God will continue to fall on her, her family and all the staff that work with her. It was finally time for me to catch up on some sleep and because of that, I missed out on dinner, but maybe it was because I was already full of such love, joy and happiness from one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.

~:[CH6 - Day 172]:~ As the City Passes By

~:[CH6 - Day 172]:~ As the City Passes By

I finished the evening biking through the city with a friend and eating overlooking the city. As we rode, the city raced by as we enjoyed the views of the city, surprisingly, alive. The system in the streets seemed to work as even in the narrowest of streets, bicycles, motorbikes, and cars seemed to work in harmony. In the morning, I saw the same city passing by as I left. I ventured out a few hours from town to visit Ami, my sponsor child and her family. As always, I was greeting by the staff of Compassion, but also was blessed to meet with the pastor and another volunteer who had stopped by from Malaysia. We learned more about each other before walking over to visit the family. I was overcome with excitement as the mother walked out to greet us. It's been interesting to see them grow over the course of the past few years. It seems like yesterday that I visited them in their old house. Now they built a new home that is much sturdier than the last and even a number of chickens, pigs and a few "luxuries" that they did not have before. I was happy to see them living better. As we ate and the children played, I kind of sat back and watched everything in action. From siblings playing around the house to each of them taking their turn to help out, I was impressed as I could see that love played a big role in their lives. I was so blessed as the family pour so much of themselves in preparing us this meal, ensuring that we were well fed. In fact, it was way too much food. The mother ensured that I ate enough and went so far as to place the best pieces on my plate. I didn't say too much, but was so happy just sitting there and observing all that was going on. Sadly, the time to say goodbye came too quickly. As I gave out some of the gifts, I was once again overwhelmed by the fact that they had went out to also get me gifts that they put some thought into, as they always given so much to me, despite their situation. We headed on our way, as I said goodbye to the family and project staff who I would not see tomorrow. However, as I watched the countryside change back to the city, I knew that I took a piece of them all back with me in my heart. I saw how appreciative I should be of what I have, but also how giving generously to those around you can impact their lives immensely, but also yours even more so. I closed our last moments together with a prayer and while there were a few requests that we hope will stay answered, as I watched the city passed by, I knew that part of my requests were already coming true. As while this city will soon become another for me, I hope that God will continue to watch over this family and bless them with all the wonderful things that this family deserves.

~:[CH6 - Day 171]:~ Appreciation

~:[CH6 - Day 171]:~ Appreciation 

Sometimes they say, you never know what you have until it's gone. In the absence of things we figure to be everyday, we begin to realize its importance. Being without the ability to take a full shower or sleep in a bed made or anything horizontal for that matter was that thing. It may have only been about 48 full hours since it was the case, but it was a struggle and made me appreciate the bed. From heading to and from the airport to seeing the sites of Tokyo and Hong Kong, it was a fun adventure, but an adventure I was glad to see pause. The shower felt amazing, laying down felt amazing, and even opening up my luggage was amazing. Weird, right? Not really. Because in the absence of all those things we take for granted, eating, breathing, and loving, we begin to grow an appreciation for what we have. That's excluding the luxuries of a roof over our heads, transportation and more. I think we are all at some point caught in the process of asking why something isn't the way we want it, rather than simply appreciating that we have it. No, that's not all of us and not all the time, but I'm sure we can all think of a time where we did just that. Where we didn't give as much respect to the people we love because it was not convenient, when the traffic was bad when heading to work or an event or when the food takes too long to come out or something is wrong with it. As I prepare for tomorrow's meeting with my sponsor child, I reflect on all the times I did just that as I realize that many of those things I fail to appreciate, are things that I should be appreciating. All the "struggles" we have, are nothing to others who may face the daily question of, "am I going to eat today?" While the situation for my sponsor child and her family has improved, I am still curious as to how different it will be since I last visited her village three years ago. I am excited to see her family and the project staff. I am hoping that they will appreciate my effort in helping them battle the mosquitos which cause issues for them, as the staff wrote in their last letter. Regardless of how exhausted I am, how long I am delayed and how inconvenient something is, I'll have to make an effort to not complain and to appreciate the fact that I have the opportunity to experience it. It feels like I've been just survived an adventure you see on TV, as my legs ache, my stomach adapts and I appreciate the simplest of pleasures, but sometimes our happiness and ability to appreciate truly begins there. Take a second today or tomorrow or as many day as you can moving forward to appreciate something simple, as others may not be so lucky to have the opportunity to appreciate what you may think of as everyday.

~:[CH6 - Day 170]:~ Among a Stormy Sky

~:[CH6 - Day 170]:~ Among a Stormy Sky

It's been another day and another country and I still have yet to find my way to a home. I am a nomad. On every document I've filled out so far, I've written transit. I guess this could be a cheap way to travel, but it definitely is not the best way. Regardless, I think I have enjoyed the fact that I have been able to do things and see things I wouldn't have been able to without these layovers. So is it worth it? Of course. Today I felt pretty gross, however, as the lack of a shower weight heavy on my mind. I ended up getting cleaned up three times in the bathroom using wet wipes and other toiletries, but I can sense my hair will be ready for the shower. I do feel a little bad for whoever sits next to me, especially considering that my clothes got soggy from the rain and the humidity made me sweat a bit. It definitely has made for some interesting times. As I wandered through the city, I found myself venturing all around from Kowloon to Central, all on a layover. It felt like I was visiting the city, the only difference was, I was going back to the airport soon enough. After grabbing lunch with my friend, I said my goodbyes and headed on my way. My flight was delayed, but that only meant I had time to relax a bit before heading off to my first hotel stop. I can't wait to shower, but despite the stormy sky I saw most of the day, I think there was a lot of good that came out of this and all that I have been able to do in such a span of time was well worth the struggle I am facing at this moment. We often find that in the worst of times, we can shed a light on what is good and when we do just that, we find that we can make any situation into one that is tolerable, if not a good one. Keep it positive today, tomorrow and every day going forward, even if the sky is a little stormy. 

~:[CH6 - Day 169]:~ The Unthinkable

~:[CH6 - Day 169]:~ The Unthinkable

I had an early father's day celebration because I was headed on this trek which begins with an unthinkable sequences of flights. I am not sure if I can survive these next few days, but I guess I'll know soon enough. The first leg of the trip brought me to Tokyo. Luckily, it was a direct flight and I ended up getting a lot of sleep on the plane. I ventured through the Ginza area after storing my luggage and encountered a number of Captain Jacks at Haneda, promoting the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, I guess? Regardless, I ventured through rush hour and ended up at Ginza Tekuni Tempura for a quick meet up dinner before wandering through the Ginza. I didn't want to shop too much considering I didn't have space to put anything yet, so I headed up to the Sky Tree to enjoy the view. I didn't have enough time to go up, but it's always nice to be in the area to enjoy the view. While there, I got a message that my flight was leaving earlier than scheduled, so I rushed back to the airport, as I was in Tokyo for an 11 hour layover. Sadly, I found out, my flight was delayed back to its original time and my second connecting flight is delayed another two hours, which makes my next layover 14 hours. Yes, I have two long layovers back-to-back. I washed up a bit, changed and ate some tsukemen to relax. I feel a bit gross and am a bit tired, but this is part of the process of testing yourself. I told my class that there will be challenges that come your way and you have to be willing to take them on. When I had planned out this initial itinerary so I can see a few of my friends, I knew it was ambitious, but also knew that I could do it. Sure, I wouldn't encourage a soul alive to try it, but for me personally, I wouldn't have it any other way. Similarly, I hope that you all set up challenges for yourself that you find might be a challenge and take it on, even if you think it might not workout in the end. It will test you, help you learn, and will leave you knowing where you stand. Tomorrow will be another long day, but 24 hours into my trip, I have no doubt that I made the right decision when planning this all out. Unthinkable, maybe, but it doesn't mean it can't be done.

~:[CH6 - Day 168]:~ Getting Back Up

~:[CH6 - Day 168]:~ Getting Back Up

Boom! My drone crashed. It was a minor one, but it was left a little scratched up. In the end, nothing broken and everything worked as normal. That's life. Sometimes, we have a little bit of an issue here and there, but in life, we need to fight our way through and find a way to get back  up. Find a way to show the world that you can handle all of this. It's never easy, but you can do it. As I talked at the TC, I saw how that story is ever present in the lives of so many. The struggle of life can sometimes be too real and to overbearing, however, we must stay strong and keep the right mindset - you can do this! The reality of life is that there is more to celebrate than to mourn, to cry over, or to be upset about. The problem is that we're just not looking to celebrate. Today, I found progress, I found cleanliness (at least half), I found friendship, I find organization and planning, I found enjoyment, I found perseverance and of course, I found reasons to celebrate. As I fulfilled my appetite over Sake 2 Me, I congratulations our record holding varsity squads in the 4x16 and DMR, before heading over to celebrate my cousin's bridal shower. Yes, there were some struggles today, but there was much to be thankful for, to be grateful for and to celebrate. Don't ever forget that. While the world may sometimes be a dark place, with the right mindset, the light can radiate all around you, sometimes, you just need to seek out the light. As when you fall, it may be tougher to see, but if you have the will to get yourself back up, your eyes will open to a new world of possibilities. 

~:[CH6 - Day 167]:~ Tastes So Sweet

~:[CH6 - Day 167]:~ Tastes So Sweet

There was something about this day that felt so good. From finally getting a decent night's sleep to getting my room cleaned, pictures uploaded, met my friends baby, my car fixed, a nap in, spent time with a friend, and even cooking a good meal to celebrate my dad's birthday and father's day early. Sure, I didn't clean my house as much as I wanted to, but in the end, I was happy and something about today tasted so sweet. Those are the moments you cherish. There's nothing crazy or extraordinary about the day, but it's the simple pleasures that often give you the best feeling. I guess that's life. We're so into what moments are able to be Instagrammed that often we forget to celebrate those moments where the imagine is only captured in our hearts. There was something grand about today and I won't be specific on exactly what it was, but that is what makes the day even sweeter. I have a boatload more to do before I head off to Asia, but for now, I'll enjoy the sweetness of the day!

~:[CH6 - Day 166]:~ The Many Talents of the Dons

~:[CH6 - Day 166]:~ The Many Talents of the Dons

I was talking to an alumni before graduation today about the direction of the film that I am working on for the 50th anniversary celebration. In a few weeks, I will be beginning the quest and from there, there is no looking back since I don't like to leave too much unfinished business. What I was questionable about before the graduation, I was sure of after. Cerritos is a land of a very talented and diverse group of people, where things are not perfect, yet they work. Alumni who leave Cerritos these days, find themselves in a situation where they appreciate their differences and learn to grow from what they learn. Our principal addressed the many faces of our students from the academics to activities to the arts to athletics. Our students have found success in a wide-range of fields and the more I come across new alumni, I realize it more and more. Tonight we celebrated a class that has shown me a lot about that diversity from the athlete that soared to the singer who melted hearts to the writers who expressed themselves to those bound to the top academic institutions in our country. We have programmers, debaters, researchers, artists, inventors, and a large group of go-getters. In the next few years, I will meet entertainers, writers, professionals, technicians, coaches, teachers, high school sweethearts, editors, and more, but I think that despite their differences, I will find that despite the fact that the phrase has grown over the past few years, that the Cerritos Way is something that was  implanted in us all long before the phrase even was born. I will discover what I see in this senior class, students who aren't afraid to be individuals, while not forgetting that each individual is important. I hope that these seniors and all Dons, past and present, will live the Cerritos Way, striving for success, while not forgetting that goodness, acceptance, and love are just as important, if not more so, than a title, possessions or money. I am confident that this class of 2017 will continue to show the new world that they now enter, what they are made of and how those they meet along the way can change, so that they too can also learn the Cerritos Way. This week was a handful and I felt as if I wouldn't make it to the end, but I have no doubt that every day I am grateful to wake up and go work at a school as awesome as Cerritos, as it in, I see something greater than any ranking system can evaluate. We are home to a talented group of Dons, but more importantly, we are home to an amazing breed of human beings. To all Dons past and present, especially the class of 2017, let's show this world what being a Don is all about. 

~:[CH6 - Day 165]:~ Multiplicity

~:[CH6 - Day 165]:~ Multiplicity

There was a movie in 1996 called Multiplicity. I don't remember much about it, but the idea that you can multiply yourself and get as much work done as possible, essentially being in two places at once, would be amazing. Of course, while the workload in all our lives can sometimes be overwhelming, the satisfaction of completion or simply going through the process is second to none. I ended up having to pass on almost everything today so I could get to work on my final video of the school year. I thought it would be a breeze but it ended up that with more, times more effort. It would have been great to have a clone to go to the events I was suppose to go to and to work on the video and other work I had to do, but in the end, you find that the memories that we build within our life, the skills that we develop, the grit that we gain, and the character that we find within ourselves comes through the struggle. Life can be fun and enjoyable, but without these moments of exhaustion, stress, and moments of almost getting to the point of quitting, life would not be as exciting. I am exhausted as I write this blog, but reflecting back, I wouldn't have it any other way. I will forever remember all of these moments, the struggles, the breakthroughs and learn from them, grow from them, and most of all, cherish them. Multiply myself? Maybe only on the big screen. 

~:[CH6 - Day 164]:~ Work & Play

~:[CH6 - Day 164]:~ Work & Play

There are those who may argue that you cannot work and play. Well those people need to explore a bit more, because my job is an opportunity for play. As while seriousness is common in the workplace, you also need to learn to smile a bit and find the fun in what you do, otherwise, you'll simply hate what you do. Sure, there is a lot of work involved, but when you work hard, you play hard. Yesterday left me exhausted today as I was running on 45 minutes of sleep, however, I still found time to enjoy the moment and play around with this wonderful recording on set. Who knew I would stress myself out so much that my hair would turn completely white. Regardless, between cleaning and grading, boba, lunch, paperwork, parent meetings and video recording and editing, I found myself in my own little world. While others may be getting ready for bed, I'm sitting in my room recording a video to celebrate the fact that they raised over $500 for each period for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Total of $2400 for three freshman periods!). Thus, as exhausting as this is, it was worth all the energy spent to help those who are or have suffered from leukemia & lymphoma. While the work is almost done, it's definitely time to play. 

~:[CH6 - Day 163]:~ A Life Lived for Others

~:[CH6 - Day 163]:~ A Life Lived for Others

Many of times, I've been asked why I work so hard. I guess, I could stop with the extracurricular activities and become a 7 to 3 teacher. Every once in awhile, I get a taste of what leaving at 3pm feels like. Sure, the days are longer, but honestly, what good is it for me to have more time? Tonight validated my belief. As we celebrated the retirement of one of the most incredible people I have ever met, I saw the wealth she had acquired over the years. The amazing message of how she uplifted the spirits of numerous people, how students came back looking for her, and just the joy and excitement people had to celebrate this momentous occasion. It showed me, that a life lived for others, will make you one of the wealthiest people alive. Sure, you drag around the day after staying up all night making a video for your class, but the memory that stays with the class long outlives the fatigue you face from the all nighter. For Kathy, staying late was not a chore, but rather an opportunity to add to her wealth, by taking care of those around her. While not all appreciate all the work that goes into your efforts, your efforts are rewarded ten fold by those who do. Sure, it's not the gratitude or attention you seek when you do such things, but in reality, when you live a life for others, that's typically what you get. No, not money-lined pockets, but loved-lined hearts and souls, more valuable than anything else in this world. Tonight, the love that Kathy shared came back to her and while no words can truly describe how amazing she is, we all got a taste of the impact she has had on so many people. I am so blessed to have someone as amazing as Kathy in my life and while I jumbled my speech and did not say all I wanted to say, I hope she knows that she holds a special place in my heart, as well as the hearts of so many. I had to go home and work on a video and as fatigue set in and I wanted to just give up and go to sleep, I thought of Kathy knowing that all the work I put into this would be worth it. Happy retirement to my second mother, who is amazing is so many ways. May you enjoy a journey ahead full of free time, relaxing lunches, and quality time with family and friends.

~:[CH6 - Day 162]:~ The Final Pieces

~:[CH6 - Day 162]:~ The Final Pieces

Sometimes when you look at the bigger picture, it can get overwhelming. If you look at the list of to dos, you simply stress yourself out. As I looked at all the things I had to do, I was a bit overwhelmed, but then I took each piece one by one and slowly checked each of my list from shooting our IA music videos to completing the dictionary. While there was one thing I didn't get to today, I finished almost everything I needed to and even got a little ahead on a few others things. As I look at what I accomplished, I think at how it was all thanks to look at everything in a little more detail and not allowing myself to get discouraged. It's so easy to give up and throw your hands up in the air when you feel overwhelmed, when in reality, you must see that you have the skills and ability to do what you want to do in most cases. Trust in yourself and your abilities and find the best way to tackle the situation you have at hand. Keeping yourself calm and collecting is truly the best way to approach any situation and if you can do that, you'll find yourself more confident that ever and ready to take on the world. A trek across the country would be a challenging feat, but you will never know if you can, until you take that first step. Step by step and piece by piece, let's take this world by storm and show them what we can do this week and every week moving forward!

~:[CH6 - Day 161]:~ As Sweet as it Gets

~:[CH6 - Day 161]:~ As Sweet as it Gets

I had a decent amount of work to do still today, but it definitely did not compare to what I had on plate the days before. As I finished up a few things here and there, it already was time to meet up for lunch, do a bit more work, then a stop off to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. I was expecting it to be ridiculous since it was Grad Nite, but surprising enough, it actually was not too bad. I kept thinking, the seniors lucked out. It was fun wandering around the park and enjoying a few moments with friends. I ran into the occasional senior or two and also with an alumni as well! Regardless, as much as I have on my mind and as much as I have to do, it was a nice break to remind me just how great life is. As while so many things may try to bring you down, you eventually discover all the goodness that surrounds you if you just open your eyes. 

~:[CH6 - Day 160]:~ Before the Dawn and After the Dusk

~:[CH6 - Day 160]:~ Before the Dawn and After the Dusk

My eyes didn't want to open today. I wanted to sleep. No, I wasn't dreading the day, just trying to convince my body to last one more day. It held up. I enjoyed the heart that the freshman put into their speeches and it was amazing to see them improve. It pained me to say goodbye to my wonderful senior IAs, who did such an incredible job this year. I signed a few yearbooks, finished up the senior dictionary, and closed out the final day with seniors. As I head to the town center to have a meet up for lunch, it was a little nostalgic thinking of all the memories created in the year. For some reason, this year was much busier than any year in the past, but somehow, I made it. Sure, I have a few more things to work on, but this feeling at this moment cannot be replaced, at least not for this moment. After school, I headed to Pasadena for the Association 33 Championships and it was great to see two of my athletes compete. As the daylight slowly faded away and the night breeze rolled in, I smiled. I headed to Lake to enjoy a drink and a meal, before heading home. I began work before the dawn and finished after the dusk. It's not something new for me, but today, there was something else. The weight was no longer on my shoulders, I arrived at the last chapter of this year's book, and I couldn't have had a better day. Each and every person I came across today made today special and just added to this wonderful year, while despite being busy, also was memorable. They added a piece to this puzzle of life that I've been working on and showed me that all the extra work you put in will be worth it and while it may be revealed one piece at a time, it will be worth it. Tomorrow, I may wake up after the dawn and sleep before the dusk, but regardless of what happens tomorrow, every hour I poured into today, as well as this week and this year, was not wasted, as today, the value of it shown it's glorious face and I couldn't have been happier. 

~:[CH6 - Day 159]:~ The Best Gift of All

~:[CH6 - Day 159]:~ The Best Gift of All

I was inspired today. It was so much so that all the stress of running back and forth for banquet prep went away. My freshman were giving speeches for character and it made me think of all of the best memories I have had with these seniors over the past four years. While they did not directly give them, I thought of how these seniors demonstrated great character throughout their years and how I appreciated them so much. While I left with a box full of gifts, I already knew going in that I really didn't need to leave with anything in hand, because I was left with so much in my heart. All of these MUN students have given me so much and my heart was full already, as it overflowed tonight. I was so lucky to have walked into this position so many years ago and each and every year, no matter how much stress I am under, I am thankful for all that I am given through a year. I am lucky to work with some of the best students that Cerritos has to offer and to see them grow is the best gift of all. My body kept telling me, I needed to sleep as I listened to the character speeches today, but I just couldn't because as they inspired me, I kept thinking, how these freshman will change over the course of the next four years, just as I thought how the seniors changed over the last four years. The freshman do not realize that they are already beginning the process of giving me a gift that makes me the happiest - seeing them grow into successful people. One of my freshman gave a quote today that said, "character is like a photograph, as it develops in the darkness." I think that the challenges that MUN has provided have given all of these students, especially the seniors, the opportunity to build character and to develop into people that I am amazed at every day and feel so blessed to have cross into my life. I said it once and I will say it again, while much appreciated, the gifts are unnecessary, because I already have received the best gift of all given to me piece by piece, every day of the year. 

~:[CH6 - Day 158]:~ A Game of Survival

~:[CH6 - Day 158]:~ A Game of Survival

I got home from the track banquet last night and got on my computer to edit. Yes, the reality of banquet week is you get no time to breathe. Every break, I am working on preparing and right after school. I head home to work. It feels good as the memories of the year come back as I edit, but still, I can't wait to lay down and not worry about a thing. Of course, with deadlines comes days with a full slate of activities from scrip to senior awards night. While the awards night took up a few hours of  my night to edit, it's always a joy to go to this event. Out of the seven students who received Escudo de Oro, our schools highest honor, I work with five of them. I also had the two scholar athletes of the year who both are valedictorians and who both had the top two points for the season for all seniors. What a great accomplishment! I was so proud of all of my seniors tonight and while they will be missed, I am confident in their ability to find success in the game of survival moving forward. Much like my gauntlet that I am trying to work my way through right now, these seniors will face many times are so difficult. They will face the same obstacles I faced in different forms - missing charger, wrong format, wrong folder, missing files, system crashes, rendering delays and more. While all these things may try to stop them, I know that these seniors will have the will and the drive to keep pushing through so that they can rise above all of these challenges so that they can eventually reach their goals. These seniors will win this game of survival, it's just a matter of time. Congratulations to you all seniors and enjoy your final week of school. 

~:[CH6 - Day 157]:~ One in the Books

~:[CH6 - Day 157]:~ One in the Books

I kept falling asleep today. I was drowsy all day, but I survived and now have more energy than when the day began. Today, I had to say goodbye to my seniors including those distance seniors who I have worked with the past few years. It's a bittersweet moment. I'm excited for them to grow and to learn in college, but sad that they won't be around next year. Regardless, they left a number of memories and did an amazing job passing on a legacy to the future generations. I was so happy to see a great turnout, so many that we had to turn anyone who tried to sign up late away. We had a lot of awards and it took a bit longer than expected with the speeches, but I made it and put one away in the books. It's always a relief to complete something and to move on to the next task and while you wish you could sit there and enjoy it, you have to move on, as you must do in life. I'm going to take a short ten minute break, but now that I am unpacked and home, I must get to work on the MUN video for the banquet Thursday. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and while I still have a few more things to work on, I'm almost to the top and going to be headed downhill to the finish soon. One down, a billion more to go, but hey, I'm one step closer. Thank you to all of the members of this year's team for making this season memorable, all the way to state! To the seniors, thanks for all that you put forth this season and thanks for paying the team back, by giving selflessly back to the team throughout this season. We will definitely miss you, but am excited for all the success you will find moving forward. Ohana RNR.

~:[CH6 - Day 156]:~ The Setback of Delays

~:[CH6 - Day 156]:~ The Setback of Delays

There's always a combination of setbacks, distractions and delays when you're getting close to a deadline. How do you avoid them? I thought I'd be happy when I finished my prep for my first banquet, which is tomorrow (Tuesday). Of course, the excitement never arrived, as I just have to do even more prep for an even bigger banquet on Thursday for MUN. The good thing? The setup won't be as crazy for MUN this year since we had to move it to Knott's due to construction. However, it still will be a task to finish the video (and do it well) before Thursday. The good thing is, the past five years or so, we got smart and made it into a more manageable video. I would have had a solid seven hours to edit tonight for this video alone, but I messed up converting the footage (wrong format) and had to redo a batch of clips to make them editable. Yes, that set me back three hours, which set me back more as I converted and burned the track slideshow video. Instead of starting at 5pm, I am not starting at 1am. What a difference a delay makes. I guess you could say that I procrastinated a bit, but in reality, I didn't. Almost every waking moment that I've had time, I've been working on this. Even when I went to Asia and also to the State Championships, I was working. Sometimes, life just gets too busy. Regardless, I will survive. From sorting certificates to finishing up the program, picking up patches, organizing the information so that the night can go smoothly and more, today was quite the work day. I would try to work for a full 24 hours, but I think I might pass out if I try. The funny thing is, I like being this busy because then I avoid being bored and I don't waste any time. I am excited for Thursday night, but for now, I look forward to the grind the next few nights. Here we go! 

~:[CH6 - Day 155]:~ The Red Carpet

~:[CH6 - Day 155]:~ The Red Carpet

My friend from Australia came to town. It's been a few years since I have seen him and it was great to catch up. It definitely allowed me to rekindle some memories of our European adventure, from which, I have so many memories and made so many friends. This is the second friend from that group who I have been able to meet up with when they visited! Since it was my job to introduce him to LA, I gave him and his friend a variety of scenes in Los Angeles. I was pleased that they enjoyed books and good food. It made the places I took them perfect fits. They were in great spirits and made the day even more exciting and fun. I definitely love rolling out the red carpet for people when they come. While I don't always have the most time, it's nice when I am able to make some time. They're on the beginning of a five week journey through the US and I couldn't be more excited for them. Hopefully, the weather treats them well and they get an experience they never forget. To you both, I wish you the best and hope you have a wonderful and safe journey! 

~:[CH6 - Day 154]:~ Learning and Growing

~:[CH6 - Day 154]:~ Learning and Growing

It wasn't the exact result we had hoped for, but being seventh in the state ain't too shabby. It was a super hot day with temperatures reaching 97 degrees. It was tough to be out there and I could just imagine how difficult it was to jump out there after being on the field for an hour. Regardless, our athlete cleared his first height, then cleared his second on his last attempt. He grazed the bar with his head, but it managed to stay on. He ended up missing at 6' 7" and finished in seventh. Only three athletes cleared 6' 7", but he fell to seventh due to misses. Regardless, we drove home satisfied with a job well done and as a junior, we hope to bring him back, using this as a learning experience. It also was a great day for me because I got to see one of my mentors, Bob McGuire, who taught me a lot in terms of meet management. I have enjoyed being his friend and learning so much about track and field from him. He showed me the ins and outs of managing league finals, gone over the rules, and even warned me of things to expect when running these meets. Every time I see him, I am happy because he is such a genuine guy who I owe so much of my knowledge to. I realized that I had not ever gotten a picture with him, so today was my chance. I guess in life, we have a lot of these people. I can think of a few within my own life. They are the ones who help put you on the right path, show you what you can do, and have the confidence and faith that you will figure out everything else that you need to. I have been so blessed to have these mentors and while I may change my own course when doing things, the core of all the things I do is based on their knowledge and teachings. I guess that is life. While we may have a lot of knowledge and skills, the importance of mentors to help us build a foundation is key. While some people think they can do it all on their own, having someone to help guide you is one of the most valuable things you can have as you move forward in life. Whether they teach you one thing or everything, they have helped stocked the shelves of your mind with knowledge that will be invaluable to you in the future. Whether older than you or younger, never be afraid to hear the wisdom and experience of those around you, as you never know when you'll need something that they have to share. It is now my job to pass on as much of the knowledge I can to the future generations such as this incredible jumper so that he may be able to find the most successful route moving forward. We arrived home safely and while I was glad to be home, a part of me is sad that tonight, the season ended and now we have to wait until next season arrives. 

~:[CH6 - Day 153]:~ The Road to State

~:[CH6 - Day 153]:~ The Road to State

It's not often you get to travel to Fresno in a given year. Even for the most famed program, a trip here is no guarantee. That's what makes it so special. It's been four years since I've been here and the trip has been a great one so far. It was blazing hot outside, but it was manageable and made it easier that our jumper was able to advance to the finals. Sadly, one of his friends did not advance, but I still wanted to give him a shoutout for making it this far and also going above and beyond to help our athlete out. He was willing to help us by having his parents bring up our jumpers shoes. While he didn't advance, he definitely deserves respect for stepping up to help in that situation. It truly showed that he had a champions heart. We tried to stay cool, so we hit the mall, rested in the hotel room and finished off with a nice, celebratory dinner. Regardless of how tomorrow goes, I know we can all go  home happy, as this trip has been quite the success. The road to state has been good and knowing we made it to the final possible day makes this season even more memorable. 

~:[CH6 - Day 152]:~ Short Week, Long Journey

~:[CH6 - Day 152]:~ Short Week, Long Journey

It was a little crazy as I was trying to wrap everything up. With our high jumper qualifying for state, I had to adjust my schedule. I already was going to have a short week with Memorial Day and one day off, but it ended up being a two-day week, as I had to leave during lunch for Fresno. I stopped by to see my best friend and say farewell before taking off. The ride itself was pretty smooth, but we saw a few accidents and even a palm tree fire on the way. We finally got to the open road and ended up in Fresno for dinner. Of course the trip was not without its issues. Our jumper forget his spikes in his locker. We had to call multiple people and are hoping that his shoes will make it up to Fresno. Regardless, we were able to find something that would do in case they don't arrive. After the stress of figuring that all out, it was nice to relax a bit and wait for tomorrow. We'll see how it all goes. Wish us luck.