~:[CH7 - Day 120]:~ Cloudy Days

~:[CH7 - Day 120]:~ Cloudy Days

Our last day in the Suburban League is quickly arriving as league prelims was contested today. The weather wasn't the greatest, but we had some solid performances on the day. When I saw this picture, it made me see that while competition can be fierce at times, in the end, many of these athletes will find comrades in their competitors. As while there may be those moments where people don't get along, there are also moments where the sun peeks through and there is nothing but smiles shining through. Yes, there were moments which I wish we could've changed and throughout my life, but when it comes down to it, those cloudy days help guide us to the sunny days which lay ahead. It was a little strange at how it was cloudy and windy throughout the meet, however, just as it ended, we finally saw the sun. I guess today truly paralleled life. Just wait, the sun will shine for you soon enough. Soon enough.

~:[CH7 - Day 119]:~ Breaking Through

~:[CH7 - Day 119]:~ Breaking Through

There comes a moment in your life where after working so hard, you have a breakthrough. You find a way to overcome everything standing in your way and reach the peak you've been looking at for some time. For everyone, that peak is different and even when we don't reach that peak, we can still find ourselves breaking through. In our lives, we will find so many ways that will not work. It's our ability to adapt, that will ultimately determine if we can find a way to overcome the obstacles in our way. It was great to see another group of students do just that and even those who didn't reach their peak today, still showed me that success will await them in the end. I've thought long and hard of how and when I would have my breath through and seeing things come together is an amazing thing. It's scary to think that there is another mountain to climb ahead, but reaching the peak of this first mountain has got me screaming at the top of my lungs with joy. There will be challenges along the way, but if we learn, we grow, and we persevere, we'll find ourselves at the top of another peak soon, as another breakthrough is sure to come our way.

~:[CH7 - Day 118]:~ Closing In

~:[CH7 - Day 118]:~ Closing In

It ended up being about an 18 hour work day for me, as I had an MUN conference followed by Prom. While I was exhausted, I also enjoyed one of the final events of the year and one of my final conferences of the year as we close in on the end of the school year. It just hit me how quickly everything has gone this year and I am amazed at how quickly we arrived at the end of the year. It's always nice to think about how much my students have grown since freshman year and these group of seniors definitely have in MUN and in life. I came home exhausted and I have to wake up early, so I guess I will have to post pictures tomorrow. Regardless, I will still reflect on today as we close in on the end of the year. How quickly time flies. 

~:[CH7 - Day 117]:~ All in the Mind

~:[CH7 - Day 117]:~ All in the Mind

Overcoming the mental barriers is a big thing in running. Mental drills really helps prepare athletes to get to the point they need to be at in order to be ready for the race. I, myself, have been able to overcome one of my mental blocks (sort of) in order to help myself progress. Today definitely was a special day and one that I will remember for many days moving forward and I hope that my athletes and all those reading can allow themselves to do what they are capable of doing by overcoming the barriers the mind puts on you. You can do it, if you truly think  you can; at least within reason.

~:[CH7 - Day 116]:~ A Perfect April

~:[CH7 - Day 116]:~ A Perfect April

This April has been a great month in more ways than one, however, it was truly perfect on the track. We completed our first perfect April that I can remember with our fourth sweep in a row, taking all four levels in what was our final Suburban League dual meet. There are a lot of memories in the Suburban League and there will be many moments that I remember on this track and Norwalk/ However, in the end, we pulled out a victory on all four levels and celebrated together over dinner. There is a lot more to accomplish over the next few weeks, however, for now, we can enjoy this great feat and move forward. It seems like when it rains, it pours, but when the sun is shining, all is bright in the world around you and while you want to be able to handle those rainy days, there's nothing wrong with soaking in the sun while you can. April is truly shaping up to be perfect.

~:[CH7 - Day 115]:~ Love Never Dies

~:[CH7 - Day 115]:~ Love Never Dies

The heart is one of the most precious things that we have. Not only does it keep us alive, but it is the thing most associated with love. It's amazing how much love flows in and out of our daily lives, from friends (like my prom date), to family, and to the one we hold dear. It's a fragile thing that must be protected at all cost and as we should love fiercely, we also must love wisely. I am so grateful for having so many around me to love and as I watched Love Never Dies, as much as I did not love it, love still flowed through me as I thought about how lucky I am. I guess you never really know how life will turn out and how your heart will change, but there is definitely one thing that's for sure, love never dies. Even when you are long gone from this earth, there will be those who love you and when they pass, there will be the memory of those moment. So my friends, my family, my love, love each other wholeheartedly, pour out more love than you ever thought possible and you'll find that what you give, you'll receive much more in return, not for a moment, but forever. As while love can be a scary thing, it can also be magical once it is unmasked. 

~:[CH7 - Day 114]:~ Looking Forward from the Past

~:[CH7 - Day 114]:~ Looking Forward from the Past

The past can be a scary place. The scars that you carry with you from the past impact how you see life moving forward. Sometimes, it weighs you down and holds you back. However, there are also those moments in the past that teach you, that guide you and that change you. Without certain moments in our lives from the past, we wouldn't be who we are. Sometimes, even those not so fond memories, become ones that will make your life moving forward a lot easier. I, personally, have a lot of scars from the past, but looking ahead, I am looking to put those behind me. I want to learn from the past in order to pave the way for my future. Who knows what the future holds, but we will never find out, if we allow the past to hold us back. Let's look forward and see what awaits us. As while sometimes the past are memories we want to carry into the future, it can't be something that keeps us from progress. Scars may be forever, but scars heal and while we may be reminded of the past through them, the pain, at some point disappears and we must be brave enough to move forward to see exactly what we're made of. 

~:[CH7 - Day 113]:~ In Exchange

~:[CH7 - Day 113]:~ In Exchange

Today we played the exchange rate game where I helped teach the class how to deal with the numbers of exchange rates when they travel. I think it's vital for them to learn how to tell if they're getting a good deal or not and how much they are actually spending. As travel season approaches for me, it also reminded me to begin looking into the numbers. It's amazing how our lives are driven by these numbers and how so many things in our lives have a value on them. However, can we protect those things that you cannot attach a value to? The price of the experience of a lifetime while traveling or those moment with loved ones that you will never forget. These are moments we cannot ever exchange and we must remember that while the world will tempt us with large amounts of cash or benefits, that ultimately, we must keep those things we consider the most precious near. We must protect it with all our might and not allow it to be exchanged for our own wants and greed. Sure, today's class was about the numbers when we travel abroad, but it's also a good reminder that we cannot put a price on somethings and that should never change. 

~:[CH7 - Day 112]:~ Days That Feel This Good

~:[CH7 - Day 112]:~ Days That Feel This Good

There are many days that are good in a person's life, then there are days that as simply spectacular. Those days that feel so great and that you never want them to end. When you wake up at just the right time, the water is just warm enough, the weather is perfect and you get a nice balance of friends and family while still getting all of your work done. I couldn't help but smile today, because it felt this good. Life is unpredictable and you never know where you will head, but the days that feel this good are ones that you just need to soak in and enjoy. I was so grateful today for many thing as I walked along the streets, I knew that this was shaping to be one of the best days ever. I didn't want to ask why and even anticipate better days, rather, I soaked it all in and was grateful. Don't take these days for granted and soak in all the greatest in those simply spectacular days.

~:[CH7 - Day 111]:~ Falling into Place

~:[CH7 - Day 111]:~ Falling into Place

I love it when things just fall into place. Sometimes, you don't even have to do much other than work hard and things fit. While life throws its share of struggles at you, sometimes, what you hope for actually happens. It was an awesome day at the Mt. SAC Invitational. To watch national teams, top collegiate athletes and incredible high school athletes was amazing. To have three events today and come out with two medals and a school record, was even more amazing. While it was exhausting to be at the track all day, it also was a blessing in disguise, as I would have missed many of those who I saw through the day. I was so proud of all my athletes who pulled through and definitely glad to have done it sporting a new baton in hand and an old school jersey.

~:[CH7 - Day 110]:~ Wake Me Up

~:[CH7 - Day 110]:~ Wake Me Up

I started the day with the sadness of the loss of the artist Avicii and the disappointment of how many seniors showed up to school. I think though that nowadays people tend to do more and more of what they want to do, not thinking of the impact on others and seeing how few seniors showed up, I felt that it was true.. As while this moment could have ruined my day, I tried to make the most of it, rewarding those who stayed, smiled watching the NAMI club members collaborate with my friend who is trying to help others cope, and finished off the night with a long chat. The day quickly went from a nightmare to a beautiful dream, as the sounds of Avicii rang through the radio. The song reminds me of the fact that we must live in the moment and wake up from our dreary state. We must open up our eyes and soak in all that is around us so we don't miss a thing. Life will throw challenges your way, but it will also throw opportunities and in the sadness and disappointment of the of life, when we wake up, opportunity awaits us. RIP Avicii. 

~:[CH7 - Day 109]:~ Cruising Along

~:[CH7 - Day 109]:~ Cruising Along

It's been nice having a team that has cruised along in league, especially with your area team also dominating, especially on the varsity levels. The talent has allowed me to move athletes around without worrying if we can cover the void when they leave their event. We have been able to run athletes where we want and also limit how many races they have to run whenever necessary. I've enjoyed the season and they have been much improved in doing their part for the team. Our meets have moved so quickly because of the efforts of the entire team and that's exactly something I should be the most proud about. We moved through today's meet in 2.5 hours and Tuesday's meet in 2.25 hours. Last week, even with a full load, I think we still kept it under 3 hours. With a meet this weekend, we still will be busy, but we are now counting down to our final few races. It's a bittersweet moment in a season that I enjoyed thoroughly and look forward to seeing what is in store for the final few races. Let's see how it goes down the stretch!

~:[CH7 - Day 108]:~ A New Way of Seeing

~:[CH7 - Day 108]:~ A New Way of Seeing

One of the things about life is, sometimes we cannot see the world clearly, then all of a sudden, we look at it in a different way and see it clear as day. It may be distorted, but regardless, it is something that allows us to see the world around us more clearly. It seems like my vision is beginning to clear up the past few days, as I  have begun to see things in a new light. Life seems more exciting and there is a lot to look forward to as I head forward. I am glad for what I have been Blessed with and only hope that I can continue to see the world clearly moving forward. Sometimes it is as simple as opening your eyes so that you can see the world around you. 

~:[CH7 - Day 107]:~ Vaulting Forward

~:[CH7 - Day 107]:~ Vaulting Forward

We had an unusual Tuesday meet to make up for a rained-out meet last month. With league finals coming up, we had a lot of our athletes try new events to finalize who would be running in what events come the end of the season. With new and fresh faces in each event, it made for an interesting experience and we realized that most athletes were in their correct places. The meet itself lasted just over two hours as we breezed through it and even finished the day with some nice new PRs. I even picked up a pole at the vault, but would make it no further than the plant box. Vaulting though is a perfect example of what life is like though. It's a scary event. You need to speed towards the pit and lift yourself in the air, trusting that you can use all your training to lift you in your air. The timing and coordination is what will help you find success. At times, you'll get throw off and even sometimes a little dinged up, but the more times you do it, the less afraid you become. Hopefully we can all work on our skills, overcome our fears and have everything fall into place as we rise up as we move forward. Let's make today a great day and let's look to vault forward towards success.

~:[CH7 - Day 106]:~ Tour de Campus

~:[CH7 - Day 106]:~ Tour de Campus

Today we jumped into the topics of World War II. It's always a good sign when we reach this point because we are now approaching the end of the year. Today felt a little like a vacation as we were toured around the UCLA campus as we caught up with one of our alumni. We got treated to the fine dining of UCLA, as we wandered to a few of the iconic spots on the UCLA campus and just relaxed and chatted. It was a great opportunity to get away and some time for them to catch up and bond. By the end of the night, we were glad to have made this stop and was also glad to run into a number of other alumni along the way. In our lives, we often have the opportunity to see places we've never been or even to see places we've already been to, when we take these opportunities, we open ourselves up to numerous more possibilities. Today, even after knowing all the spots on campus, I was able to catch up with others and just pass on the amazing feeling of exploring to my athletes. You often have a short span of time to decide when these opportunities come your way, don't let these opportunities pass you by, as there is a world out there for you to explore greater than your imagination.

~:[CH7 - Day 105]:~ Life of a Comic

~:[CH7 - Day 105]:~ Life of a Comic

I think life is easily compared to a comic book. The hero, the heroine, the villain, and the twist to the story line. Just when you think you know where you're headed, something changes your direction and a new story line unfolds. Regardless of where the trail leads, sometimes you just follow it aimlessly hoping that you'll be guided to a happy ending, but not all comic books end that way. As my day was filled with uphills and downhills, wandering, good food and a bit of entertainment, I wondering how the ending would turn out. While some people wait to find out the ending, I think it's about time we write our own path going forward. We cannot wait for the story line to unfold, rather we need to make the story line become what we want. Whether it's the job we want, the places we want to visit, the people we want to see, it all comes down to what we decide. In the end, there will be things outside our own control, but ultimately, if we force the hand a bit, we can change the direction of where we are headed. The pages of our comic book of life are blank and it's our job to start influencing what fills the pages moving forward. 

~:[CH7 - Day 104]:~ In All Our Diversity

~:[CH7 - Day 104]:~ In All Our Diversity

I was honestly a bit tired as I headed to school in the morning. it would be a long day on campus at Claremont McKenna for the MUN Conference. The opening was in their beautiful pavilion, showing off to all the students just how beautiful the campus is. It was a great day to be on the campus as there was a track meet going on and also a international fair going on with activities and food! It reminded me of our international food court, except for that you go around and use tickets to get the food you wanted and also, each country station had an activity related to their culture, which was pretty awesome. It was a perfect match because we were on campus for the Model UN Conference, debating all the issues the international community faces. As while my day was focused all around the conference, it did not feel like a waste at all, as I said farewell to a few of my seniors on my last day of conference with some of them. I'm lucky to work with a program that shows them the world and opens their eyes to the world around them. It teaches them skills they will use long beyond their days in my classroom and will hopefully understand all that is going on in the world around them. I just wanted to sleep when I got home, but there was no doubt that it was a day well spent. As I scarfed down my Korean and Indonesia food and drank my milk team, all of which was mediocre, I did not feel with all the experiences I digested today, as every bit of Model UN I take in, goes to good use. Whether helping me learn more about the world or simply to enjoy watching them grow, these conferences, however exhausted I am afterward, are well worth it. 

~:[CH7 - Day 103]:~ Something Refreshing

~:[CH7 - Day 103]:~ Something Refreshing

Change is always difficult. It's easy to get used to a system and sometimes scary to do so. However, with time, change is inevitable. You leave your what is solid and comfortable for a path that looks treacherous and wobbly. However, although there will be some time to adjust, sometimes you can also find something refreshing about change. It may not be better, but it also is not worse. The change you face is something that will challenge you and in the long run, could make things better. Tonight's performance of Addams Family by our drama department was just that. It was a new production that tested the waters into new territory. It's hard when you take over after someone has done such a great job for so long, but sometimes, you cast a line out and hopes you get a catch. I was left smiling because of the comedy throughout the production and in awe of some of the beautiful scenes such as this one with the moon. While in some cases, it was hard to shoot with the lighting, this scene hit the lighting on the nose and made for a gorgeous shot. This was a perfect end to the week and I felt refreshed when I left the theater. We all must take that leap into new waters at some point in our lives and while sometimes we will just belly flop, we might just find that when we take that leap, we have the ability to fly.

Addams Family Photo Album
https://wutanabe5.smugmug.com/School/Drama/Addams-Family-2018

~:[CH7 - Day 102]:~ Time for a Checkup

~:[CH7 - Day 102]:~ Time for a Checkup

Today was quite the hectic day from the start. From worrying about the rally, the meet and the pile of paperwork that needed to be done, it was a bit crazy. As the meet progressed and it was going well, soon, we would add one more twist to the day. While everything worked out and things were okay, this moment gave me a chance to take a break and just chat. It helped me see the supportive team I had as a number of his friends came by to fill the waiting room to make sure that he was doing okay with snacks in hand. I am so appreciative of the team that I have this year and while success is one thing, support is another. I would trade for a supportive team for a winning team any day, as they are truly the more successful team. With a sweep against a team we haven't done so against in quite some time, it was just the cherry on top. Sometimes in the chaos of a day, we need something to help us pause and see what we've been missing so we can appreciate the things we took for granted in the past. It's time for each of us to do our own little check up. 

~:[CH7 - Day 101]:~ A Series of Fortunate Events

~:[CH7 - Day 101]:~ A Series of Fortunate Events

I was a bit on edge today with fatigue rolling in and a pile of work amassing. However, it seems as if good things happen at the right time. As much as I had to do, I got to enjoy the afternoon smiling, even if I would be working late into the night. After work, I was able to see Jordan and then relax a bit at home. It felt a little bit weird having some times, however, aside from pepping for tomorrow's meet, I continued to enjoy the evening. As while somethings don't quite go your way, other times, you face a series of fortunate events that make the day wonderful

~:[CH7 - Day 100]:~ Mending the Heart

~:[CH7 - Day 100]:~ Mending the Heart

I was pretty upset and heartbroken as I ended my day. To find out the my boys didn't make the race they've been aiming for, was a bit of a disappointment and letting them know was more difficult. However, to discover later that a team qualified that was no where near your team was quite upsetting and whether through connections or fabrication, when you're told you missed the cut off by a few seconds, and you see that this other team qualified, it leaves you in a state of rage. It's a reminder that there are many times in life where you're going to get passed over, not because of your skills, but because someone else finds a backdoor or a connection. Even when the person in charge tells you that they only accept those with a certain qualification, you'll find that they will allow those with less qualifications to pass on by. It's the story of life and while it shouldn't happen, it will. As upset as I was, life also shows you that those moments cannot drive you to insanity or rage, rather, they must motivate you to work harder so that you never get passed over. It's a reminder that no matter how bad things are going, you cannot allow those things to overshadow the incredible things that are happening around you. With the firestorm ongoing, all was calm and peaceful when I saw my nephew for the first time. After months of anticipation and a restless night, Jordan had finally arrived. When I saw him for the first time, the stress, the anger and the disappointment faded and I was taken away to a place of joy and happiness. What was tearing at my heart, was mended by this precious treasure, as I was taken away by something so special and extraordinary. Life for Jordan will take the same route. He will face his moments in life that are unfair and disappointing, but I will remind him that those are the moments that you must decide to work harder and to open your eyes to the things around you that are much more precious. My heart ached today, but it only took a moment for my heart to be mended in a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life. 

~:[CH7 - Day 99]:~ All in a Day's Hard Work

~:[CH7 - Day 99]:~ All in a Day's Hard Work

Getting back in the habit of a work schedule is difficult, to do it when the temperature is higher than it has been, made it a bit worse. However, we all find a way to manage and to work through it. We find a way to do what we need to do and it always seems that the less we complain and the more optimistic we can be, the faster things tend to go. Regardless of how everyone felt, we all made it through the day together. As while it was a crazy day, taking care of a number of different things since my brother was out, I made it to the end of the day, exhausted, yet still alive. In life we face these challenging days where we feel as if we won't make it through, but if you keep your head up and your confidence high, the day will be but a breeze when you put the work it. It's another day in the books, let's get ready for tomorrow. 

~:[CH7 - Day 98]:~ Almost Perfect

~:[CH7 - Day 98]:~ Almost Perfect

Things in life are not perfect, but sometimes, they almost can be. After an exhausting two days, I had some time to relax. I fell asleep early and got up refreshed. My body was sore, so after cleaning up my van, I laid in the bathtub and relaxed. It was refreshing. my body wasn't recovered, but I felt much better than I did before. I was excited, as I was heading the first game that Ohtani was going to pitch at home! I was lucky enough to see him in Oakland and he was even more impressive at home. As inning after inning passed, the talk of a perfect game began arising. Sadly, in the seventh, that hope disappeared, but it was amazing to see 12Ks and only one hit and one walk over seven innings. The crowded was ecstatic and I was so happy to have witnessed this. I finished the day doing a little planning and resting on my final day before going back to work tomorrow. I have a lot of things I need to get in order, but for now, I would have to say that this was the almost perfect ending to this break. 

~:[CH7 - Day 97]:~ Let's Eat!

~:[CH7 - Day 97]:~ Let's Eat!

When you put on your night gear, you know it's time to enjoy the spirit of Ragnar. It's not often that you get to run in the middle of night with a bunch of other runners, but I get to every couple of years when Ragnar comes up. Some of my most memorable legs were in the middle of the night and while our team was moving forward quickly, so there were less teams around us, we still had a decent size group of people around. As night turned to day, we began to feel the burden of running three times in a 24+ hour period. Sore backs, IT bands, hamstrings and more, we raced on through the night and into the dawn. We met up with the first van at the finish and enjoyed racing to the finish line together before grabbing another meal together. It's a little crazy and when you finish, you're ready to eat, sleep and lay in a bath of Epsom salt, but when you look back at it, you think about what you accomplished as a team and you nod your head thinking of just how well you did. With our team, we finished with a time (27:27) that would have placed us in the top 30 the past few years, so we didn't do half bad with a team of Cerritos/Pacifica alumni plus a few significant others. As I got home with a happy stomach from Tacos el Gordo and as I waddle around cleaning up my van, I couldn't help but smile remember this weekend and coming together with a group of wonderful people who made these two days special. It's exhausting, but I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. We truly Ran Like "We" Stole It because we stole this opportunity and ran with it. 

~:[CH7 - Day 96]:~ Setting Out on an Adventure

~:[CH7 - Day 96]:~ Setting Out on an Adventure

Ragnar is a little bit of a crazy adventure, especially for the first timer. I don't think people realize how many people actually do it and how fun it can actually be. When you say, we're running from Huntington Beach to San Diego, most people will say, "I'm out." In reality, it is something that most people can do if they train a little. With over 900 teams participating this year, it was definitely going to be quite the adventure. It was also a little different since we went seven and five instead of the normal six and six which made the spacing in the vans a little more, well ... cozier. Regardless, we spent our first day at Bruxie's before heading off on our legs which finished at Dana Hills High School. We sat by a fire eating dinner before we ventured into the San Diego area. Regardless of how this Ragnar plays out on day 2, this was a fun group to be with and that's what it's all about. We ran into people we knew doing the same thing and you begin to build a community around you of people willing to take on this beautiful challenge. Sure, it's a little crazy, but it's worth all of energy you expend along the way. See you soon embarcadero! 

~:[CH7 - Day 95]:~ Life in Color

~:[CH7 - Day 95]:~ Life in Color

It's spring break and these athletes are with me. They made sure to come out to practice and some even volunteered for additional intervals. There was a group able to hit the max and hit their splits and I was truly impressed at how this workout went. The funniest moment came when they lined up their water bottles, creating a spectrum of colors. Combined with their spectrum of clothes, we made a double rainbow. It's a reminder that moments like these provide a color in our lives that make our days bright and happy. Each event that comes after the other adds to the beauty of the day and makes it special. From the pho to a second lunch to preparing for Ragnar, I had a lot of moments today where I was happy and excited to be alive. As the stress of life is slowly fading with this break, the colors that life provides began to become more saturated. It's days like today that remind me that no matter how much work it requires, it's all worth it in the end. There is light at the end of the tunnel, much like there is a rainbow waiting to appear after the rain. The rewards are coming, don't give up, keep working and soon, that darkness will become a world full of color. 

~:[CH7 - Day 94]:~ Venturing Off

~:[CH7 - Day 94]:~ Venturing Off

I think in life, we're constantly exposed to things that are new and different. Often times people shy away from these types of situations, but these are ones to be explored. To see something that is out of your normal range of foods, travel destinations or experiences and run is keeping you from knowing if you truly dislike it or simply to afraid to try. I've always wondered when I passed on something that I was somewhat intrigued by, if I should have actually given it a shot. Who knows how it really would have turned out, but ultimately, I'll never know. As I ventured through Koreatown, went off to a park I never been to, and met up with friends later on in the day, I found myself with opportunities to do new things and took them on wholeheartedly. While it's good to be selective on what you take on, you also cannot simply pass on it all and must "give it a shot" once in awhile. Who know's what you'll discover! Tomorrow's a new day and a new opportunity for you to say "yes," and truly see what you've been missing.

~:[CH7 - Day 93]:~ Days Off are Delicious

~:[CH7 - Day 93]:~ Days Off are Delicious

Yes, today was as delicious as the treat that I fed to Max today. He is always so excited to see me because I always bribe him. That was just one of the many things I got to do today on my first day off at home. Yes, we have been on break for a few days, but with two meets and a small adventure up north, today was my first "day off." Sure, we had practice, but for the most part, it was relaxing. I got to sit back and enjoy the day, play some Pokemon Go, relax at TapEx, walk around, watch some Kdramas and of course, cook. Sure, there was a laundry list of things to do, which I got to, but still, it was nice an relaxing. All that you could have hoped from a day like today. I don't think the rest of my days will be like today, but at least, for the time being, I can enjoy the comforts of doing what I want. While we all have a laundry list of things to do, always remember to take your day and do the things that make you happy, as while this world is a crazy busy place, you cannot forget about yourself.

~:[CH7 - Day 92]:~ Discovery

~:[CH7 - Day 92]:~ Discovery

There comes a time in your life where you find a chance to adventure. It doesn't have to be extreme or expensive, but simply a stroll along a beach, through a national park or a drive along a highway. In those moments, you discover a lot. You discover that there is still so much about the world that you don't know and there is so much more out there for you to discover. You don't have to do what everyone else is doing, rather, you can find the things you love and go out and search them out. I think so many people use social media to guide them where they should go, rather than allowing their own interest drive what you want to discover. Documenting what you do is not necessarily a bad thing, but don't forget to soak it all in as well. As I drove home, there were so many moments where I wish I could have snapped a picture, but at the same time, it's an image that will be forever captured in my mind that I decided to only share with myself. 

~:[CH7 - Day 91]:~ Trust & Faith

~:[CH7 - Day 91]:~ Trust & Faith

It was dark, my headlamp was on, and at that point, I was waist deep in water. Later, I would almost have face planted on a rock, squeezed through a few keyholes and was amazingly happy to be walking along a beach. At one point, I prayed for protection and it's amazing how that moment paralleled life. There were detailed plans for this trek, but even so, things will get difficult, as thoughts of giving up creep in and the dangers of life present themselves. As you come across the amazing, you also see your greatest fears. On a day that is one of the holiest, I learned a lot about myself and more about trust and faith in the Lord. As while my mind was occupied by fear and a thoughts of reaching the end safely, I also reflected on my hike with the Lord. The Lord took this opportunity to show me a new path and even more about myself. It renewed my confidence in my walk, as I venture forward. I ended the day with Blessings I couldn't have imagined. After watching a gang of elks in the preserve, I shucked my own oyster before heading to Oakland. I spent the day catching up while enjoying the debut of Shohei Ohtani, who drew hoards of crowds interested in him, as he ended up pulling out the win despite a mistake early on in the game, another message for me to ponder. As while in life we make mistakes early on, those mistakes do not determine the outcome of our lives. I got the final message of my day, as I was driving home and wondered why I was having trouble seeing. I was a little exhausted after catching dinner with a group of alumni at Berkeley. It was nice seeing them all and together and even some of them had not seen each other in quite some time. Earlier I had turned off my headlights to not shine them on the car in front of me and they were still off. It was as simple as flipping them on to provide me with the light I needed to guide my way home. Similarly to your walk with the Lord, it's as simple as flipping on your trust & faith. It takes work, don't get me wrong, to maintain the relationships, but it you believe, even if you feel burdened with sins, He will greet you with open arms. Today is a day that reminds us of that fact and strangely, was a day He reminded me of that. My mind and body was exhausted as I passed out on the couch. However, even in that state, my faith was refreshed as I continue my hike with the Lord.