~:[CH7 - Day 241]:~ The Rising Level of Anxiety

~:[CH7 - Day 241]:~ The Rising Level of Anxiety

It happens every year. I get to this day and wish I had another day to get ready, but also am glad I only have one day left, as the level of anxiety rises. I always think I am going to forget something and I normally do. As a meet manager, you always try to figure out what may go wrong and try to stop it from happening and the goal is to stop it. Setup is one of the toughest parts, as getting papers together and then going to the course to make sure we guide the athletes properly will always be two of the most important things we do. The group I had wasn't the most experienced in setting up, but it worked out that they setup the course so well that I told them that they put too many flags down at some points in the course. As long as the athletes studied the course, the shouldn't have gotten lost along the course. As we wrapped up, we grabbed one last celebratory meal before I headed home to do the final preparations. I stayed up a bit later than I wanted to, but ultimately, I think I had everything ready. Even with the rising level of anxiety, I think I am ready.

~:[CH7 - Day 240]:~ Bringing the Sunshine

~:[CH7 - Day 240]:~ Bringing the Sunshine

It was one of those days where you simply feel bombarded. From trying to get on top of my classes to piecing everything together for the Cow Run, I don't know if I had a break longer than ten minutes all day. I ran from place to place and definitely ran out of time during the day. From morning until night, I was working and so was my printer. I barely got everything done and even put something off until tomorrow, which I hate to do. Regardless, through the stress of the day, you find those moments that make you feel good. A runner finding a breakthrough, how wonderful your designs came out or something as simple as a smile to bring the sunshine to your day. There will be days that our tough, stressful or just overwhelming, but keep your heart, eyes and mind open, so that when the time comes, all that is bombarding you can be cleared away by the sunshine of someone's warmth and smile. I needed this today amidst the clouds that hung over my head. As one task led to another, I am counting down the hours until I can once again breathe again and smile just like this. 

~:[CH7 - Day 239]:~ Bridging the Gap

~:[CH7 - Day 239]:~ Bridging the Gap

It's difficult to get adjusted to high school. Freshman always have a tougher time these first few weeks of school than any other grade, but in the end, it's days like today that help them bridge the gap and get them ready for the the school year. All of these students are fully capable of a successful high school career, yet not all of them will pursue it. My hope always is that they will make that leap and bridge the gap that can leave them behind. Today, they made that first step towards success and I hope that in our own lives, we don't let a divide keep us from reaching where we want to go. Instead of backing off, we must take the time to build a bridge so we can successful cross the challenges ahead. My body was beat by day's end with my wrist being sore from carrying purchases for Cow Run and my mind being tired from getting everything ready and while I will face my own challenges ahead, I have the confidence that I can succeed. I hope that in your own lives, you have the same belief, as I am confident that you can do it. I hope that you believe as well!

~:[CH7 - Day 238]:~ A Welcoming Party

~:[CH7 - Day 238]:~ A Welcoming Party

My schedule has been superly jammed packed as of late with the Great Cow Run coming up. I have a pile of things to do for the meet, but sometimes you put things aside knowing that you'll have to put in extra hours of work to do a little extra. It was nice to welcome a new friend from Japan even though the list of things I had to do were on my mind. Luckily, I had one thing I could do on my phone while I was there, but overall it was nice to take a few hours to be part of the welcoming party. While we didn't stay the whole game because he had to catch a flight. it was worthwhile to take my last mental break for the week before I got full steam ahead into the preparation process. The Angels lost, but there is definitely no disappointment as this experience definitely vaulted me into the winner's circle. It's easy to say that you're too busy on any given day, however, sometimes when you can sacrifice something, you find that those opportunities can sometimes become memories that become the welcoming party to many more that will come your way. 

~:[CH7 - Day 237]:~ Kicking It Off

~:[CH7 - Day 237]:~ Kicking It Off

It was a bit of madness trying to kick things off for the school year. I left five minutes later than I wanted to which led to a bit of traffic, I exhausted myself with class after class of talking, and my sixth period class was gigantic. The first day of practice also is a bit crazy, as you're trying to sort out who is new and making sure that everyone is cleared. Our numbers exploded on this first day as usual, as our summer roster of 90 quickly turned into our normal 130 with 60% of our athletes being freshmen and sophomores. Who know's how the season will end, but it was nice kicking it off in fashion. After an exhausting first few periods, I was revived to the site of my dad carrying Jordan, as he just stared at me thinking, what are you doing? I'm exhausted and beat as I ate dinner out and made a quick meeting as well on a day that I just wanted to go home and sleep, yet, as I finished up my work late in the evening, I looked back at today and nodded my head, it wasn't too shabby. 

~:[CH7 - Day 236]:~ To Those We Meet Along the Way

~:[CH7 - Day 236]:~ To Those We Meet Along the Way

Sometimes you don't realize the importance of the people you meet as you progress through life. After a weekend of connecting with new friends, coming across good-spirited strangers, and catching up with old friends, you think about all the connections you made and will make and how important they will be. Will it lead to marriage? Will they be the one to lift you up when you need it the most? Will they be someone who you can just chat with or hang out with? Will you never see them again, yet carry them with you as they leave a lasting impression with you? All these questions come to mind and the reality is, they all can be something that comes true. It's something to really think about, yet the reality is, you don't really know in advance how important that person is that you meet along the way. I am glad to have found a few key people in my life who always tend to show up and have their impact in my life. While they may not always feel like they are helping, them just being there has its impact and for that, I am forever grateful. In my life, there will be many more of these people and I may not know their impact until after they left my life, but today, I look forward to the many people I will meet along the way since the ones I've met in the past have been so incredibly amazing to me. 

~:[CH7 - Day 235]:~ To Celebrate the Moment

~:[CH7 - Day 235]:~ To Celebrate the Moment

I think what makes events like bachelor weekends special is that you are celebrating a moment with someone who has reached a milestone in their life. In our lives, we reach so many of these milestones, but marriage is one that is ever so special. Of course, what I liked most about this weekend, was that it wasn't about "partying" bur rather bonding over things that we enjoy. In the afternoon, after eating pho, we ventured over to UNLV to play basketball. I was thinking that we would be playing just a few games, but we ended up being there for about three hours worth of games. My muscles showed their age, as they cramped up just a bit, but I survived the entirety of the games and was still walking by night's end. We celebrated together over the beautiful buffet at Bacchanal and closed the night off gambling together and walking around the casino. It was simple, but an amazing way to celebrate together. There is no one-size-fits-all model for anything in life and it's no different than this weekend. As we will begin to part ways, I am grateful for even a few days with this group of guys, as regardless of the fact that our group represented all parts of this country, it was nice that we came together to celebrate this momentous occasion. Soon, we will be celebrating something greater, but for today, we created memories that in itself will be come a moment we will all remember for the rest of our lives. 

~:[CH7 - Day 234]:~ Not Framed the Same

~:[CH7 - Day 234]:~ Not Framed the Same

After work, I headed out to Vegas to meet up with friends. When everyone things Vegas they think of the party scene, the movie Hangover, and possibly endless shops, buffets, and casinos. It's called Sin City for a reason. However, as we sat at the night beach club just chatting the night away, it made me think about how everyone's experience isn't the same. I think everyone has this perception of what they are suppose to do when they are in Vegas, when in reality, the experience doesn't have to be framed the same. I think this is actually one of the cities built for everyone. The adventure can jump off the Stratosphere, the hiker can head through Red Rock or take a drive to the Grand Canyon or Zion, there is golf and bowling, gambling and food, shopping, shows, and clubs. Even within those spaces, as we chatted not paying too much attention to the craziness around us that I realized that whether you are dancing or drinking like crazy, floating in the pool, dancing or just lounging, it's all right. Our experience shouldn't be influenced by those around us or the expectations of what we know. While it's always wise to be smart in your decisions, you shouldn't also hold back because you feel like you have to do things the way others do. As we ventured off, we saw some crazy moments of arguments and fights, people out of it, and long lines for food after the clubs let out, we sat at a 24-hour Korean restaurant just chatting the late night away. It may not be how others finished the night, but everyone's night doesn't have to be framed the same for it to be right. 

~:[CH7 - Day 233]:~ The Union of Ohana

~:[CH7 - Day 233]:~ The Union of Ohana

There isn't a particular time it happens, but at some point in the season,  you begin to see the union of the new members of the ohana. They start to come to events, chat and connect with one another. This year, we had a pretty well-connected group of freshmen who bonded and combined with our sophomores, it made for a pretty young group of athletes together. We came together with over 30 strong, but left closer to one; one ohana that is. I love to see the progress in the season and despite not all reaching their goal times, I was content with the outcomes and even more so with how they bonded together in the end. I was exhausted from the first day of school, but was uplifted at the end by the ohana spirit.

~:[CH7 - Day 232]:~ Discovering Yourself

~:[CH7 - Day 232]:~ Discovering Yourself

We live in a world where we are expected to try to match up to our competition. We are pushed to meet the standards of those who have come before us and meet that "industry standard" where we actually aren't really that type of person. Our cross country theme this year hits upon that idea, as I want our athletes to define themselves and create their own identity. I want to maintain our foundation of ohana, while also allowing them to figure out exactly who they are in a world that is pushing them to fit one of the molds of someone that came before them. In reality, we should never be able to fit that mold. As a coach and a teacher, it's a daily struggle to help these students and more importantly, these parents understand that a 4.0 GPA and a load of activities is not the perfect identity for their sons and daughters to have. The goal of having them become the star athlete, the model student, the best leader, or most creative artist, may not be in the cards for that student and even if they reach that "goal," what does it even matter if they don't take the satisfaction in getting there and they had to sacrifice their love and passions to get there? It's a tough road as there needs to be a balance between finding a way to a stable life and also being able to create who you are; however, I think that more of us need to take that leap and figure out what we are made of and stop living by the standards of what society asks of us. I am beginning to see changes and I hope that the wave of progress can continue, however, for each of us, the greatest accomplishment we can find is being ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to make us into something else. (Paraphrased from Ralph Waldo Emerson) Sure there are somethings we must do, but ultimately, if we have to sacrifice who we are to get there, is it really worth it. Tomorrow, I start out on a journey as the school year begins for teachers and my hope is that instead of filling the minds of these students with information they may or may not need down the future, to test them according to the standards and objectives they are expected to learn,  that I can help them discover who they are so that can begin to have the confidence to fly. This is what I wish for them and I wish the same for all of you. Spread your wings and see where life takes you, as I have full faith in your abilities and will be here rooting for you always.

~:[CH7 - Day 231]:~ A Reason to Get on Your Feet

~:[CH7 - Day 231]:~ A Reason to Get on Your Feet

I had a lot of work to do today before getting to practice, however, I made a quick stop to see a friend I haven't seen in awhile. I was a little sad that I've been so busy that we missed our annual summer lunch, but this was a much better trade off as we stopped off at the happiest place on earth. Although I was only there for an hour, it was nice to reconnect and catch up, even if just for a bit. In the same moment, I got a call from another one of my close friends hoping that we'll get a chance for a quick meet up soon. As the day turned to night, I think the perfect message came through in On Your Feet, a musical based on Gloria Estefan. Anyone who loves her music should definitely watch this, as it was pretty much a best hits of her career and got people on their feet by the end. By the messages of perseverance came through and reminded me of my own life, but also many of those around me who keep pushing through as they try to make their way to success. My heart overflowed with joy by the end of the musical. From the musical to the company of great people, today was one that left me dancing to the beat of the music of life.  

~:[CH7 - Day 230]:~ Work Day

~:[CH7 - Day 230]:~ Work Day

The two words don't sound too nice together, however, in reality, when you've been so busy, it's actually kind of nice to have a work day. As the piles of things on the to-do list begin to pile up with school approaching, it was nice to get into the grind and start getting work done. It helped to be able to take breaks through the day with visits to see Jordan, who was visiting for the day. He was distracted by all that is in my room, as his eyes wandered at all the things that fit within those walls. With Cow Run less than two weeks away, it definitely was a chore to get things in order for the race. While I wish that time would slow down so I have more time to get things done, it's also nice that soon enough, it will all be over. With another work day ahead, I will be able to accomplish a lot more than I did today. As distracted and unfocused as we may be, sometimes, a work day like this can refocus us so that we can get things back on track and ready to go. 

~:[CH7 - Day 229]:~ In the Fire

~:[CH7 - Day 229]:~ In the Fire

Life is full of its ups and downs and its times where you have a feast or famine. One of the things I learned is that you need to take the time to think clearly and not necessarily react out of emotion;  however, you also must react before you get burned. I don't think I have quite found that balance between the two, but discovered that you can manage you way out of many of the situations you face. Even in a day where you are at the buffet, it can quickly become a famine if you don't watch out. As I watched the movie Crazy Rich Asians, I couldn't help enjoy the scenes of Singapore, a place I've wanted to visit for some time now, and also to see how the characters dealt with the fire. While it's a situation that many of us cannot relate to, I think just the family situation is something that we all can relate to. How do you bridge the gap and find the commonalities between each other so that we don't fall victim to the fire. Without giving too much away, I simply felt that staying true to yourself is an important part in surviving the fire. Life will be a constant cycle of this and I hope that you fan the flames of the fire well. 

~:[CH7 - Day 228]:~ Ohana

~:[CH7 - Day 228]:~ Ohana

Not thinking about the date, we decided on wearing our ohana shirts on this day. It was eleven years ago today and as I spent a day with the team in the morning and some other members of the ohana for the remainder of the day, it reminded me of the importance of what we have built. We've tried to build a system of support, of unity and of togetherness and every year I hope that the team understands the importance of it all. We all experience times we are unsure of if we can endure and it was in that time that we officially gave a title to what we already had. It became the foundation of our team and also changed how I lived my life. Eleven years removed, I smiled as we spent our day not bowling so well, yet still enjoying each other's company. We weren't going to be the best bowlers in the tournament, but it didn't matter much. Winning is great, but not important. It's about the process, the experience and the long term effects of both that will matter in the end. Who knows where the future will go, but as for me, this day will always be an important one in my life. As I remember RNR, there is so much goodness about her that I will remember, but now, even those who never met her will remember her, as her lasting memory is the core of what our program holds most important. Ohana RNR.

~:[CH7 - Day 227]:~ Prepping on an Open Day

~:[CH7 - Day 227]:~ Prepping on an Open Day

For good reason, we ended up canceling our bonfire, so I was able to do a lot of things I needed to get done in the time that was open. I also have been neglecting my wrist that has been hurting as I have been practicing for our upcoming bowling tournament. While it's mostly for fun, it's always nice to do as well as you can and in doing so, I may have overworked my wrist just a bit. Regardless, it was a nice day to feel accomplished. I haven't had this much downtime in quite awhile and while there was a long list of things to do for the day, it was nice to shorten that list by a lot. It took some stress off my shoulders and helped me relax a bit. While I am not sure how my wrist will feel tomorrow, at least I know that I did something to help prepare it. 

~:[CH7 - Day 226]:~ Food Connecting Souls

~:[CH7 - Day 226]:~ Food Connecting Souls

I always find it interesting how food tends to connect people together. Whether it's over a meeting, casual dining, or running into people along the way, it always has it's way of bringing us together. As we reconnected, the food kept coming and I kept running into people I knew that night. It was a little strange. The day itself was also strange as I completed a pile of work through the day, as the school year and the Great Cow Run began getting closer. Regardless, even with the stress of the day on my shoulders, it was relieved with the pile of good food that awaited in front of me that would soon disappear, very quickly. Life is unpredictable, but for now, at least you can count on a good meal to bring friends, families and even strangers together. It's something we should not take for granted, as mealtime together is precious.

~:[CH7 - Day 225]:~ Moments to Keep Together

~:[CH7 - Day 225]:~ Moments to Keep Together

It's easy to let challenging moments get the best of you. Our morning session for orientation didn't go so well, but we stuck with it and did better the second go. We had low attendance today for our first afternoon practice, yet, those who did show up, seemed to have a great workout. By days end, I was exhausted and had accomplished so much, yet, I was most proud that I kept it together. There were moments where I thought I could easily let all the pieces go, but I kept it together. Granted, today, there wasn't anything extreme, however, in the end, keeping a level head and thinking about things logically can really help you see straight. In a world where emotion often makes decisions, it is nice to allow yourself to think things through before you act, keeping it all together. Tomorrow, I may not do so well and lose all my marbles, but for today, I can be proud to walk away in one piece. 

~:[CH7 - Day 224]:~ Opportunities

~:[CH7 - Day 224]:~ Opportunities

Sometimes I think I take the opportunities I have too lightly. As we took our annual trek to the beach, I thought of it as another year, where I should have been thinking, it's another grand opportunity. While there are commonalities in each trip such as the gumballs at Ruby's and volleyball, it's a new experience every year and another year to enjoy. We often pass on things that we've done because it's the same as we did before, but with each opportunity, comes a new experience. I've noticed how impossible it is to replicate an exact moment, thus, why wouldn't we realize that each time we do something, it will be different. We cannot assume that simply because we have done something before that it won't be as exciting the next time around, even though that's what the law of diminishing marginal utility says. As long as we don't try to hard to replicate a moment we want to happen again, this next opportunity will not be the same as the last and most likely will be one to remember. Don't miss an opportunity, even if it's something you've done before, as many times, it will not end up like it was before. 

~:[CH7 - Day 223]:~ It's All Too Real

~:[CH7 - Day 223]:~ It's All Too Real

The realization that something is upon you, suddenly becomes all too real. The once long break you had, is now down to single digits and the preparation is beginning. While our meetings have not begun yet, coming to the realization that this moment has arrived, it becomes a little stressful, yet mostly, it is excitement. As while there is a lot of prep work to do and an anxiety of what might go wrong, the anticipation is always great as well as the ability to simply get it all over. As while it may be a pile of work that comes your way, it will be a pile of work that will soon be behind you, so that you can look forward to what's ahead. There will be memories made, feelings of accomplishment, and productivity ahead and while there will be some blood, sweat and tears, that is kind of how I like it. As I headed back into the grind on my first day back from Mammoth, I moved things around and got work done and while exhausted, I just thought, the school year is now upon us. Let's get it.

~:[CH7 - Day 222]:~ Time to Catch Up & Say Goodbye

~:[CH7 - Day 222]:~ Time to Catch Up & Say Goodbye

After an afternoon of hunting eevees, I met up with my IAs from this past year as we gathered to eat together. I was happy to see them again after a long summer and catch up on what's going on. During our get together, I came to the realization that this was a small sample of my daily life. I catch up with alumni, just as I say goodbye to them as they head off to college. It's a never ending cycle and what could be heartache for some, now becomes so commonplace. It used to hurt a lot more, but I think year after year of it has made me more numb to the idea of it. It always pains me inside to see students go, especially when they've been such a big part of your lifestyle, regardless, from each, I take a little piece in order to help build the foundation for years to come. Our fortress may not yet be ready, but at least the quality with which we are building will one day be admired by all those around us. As while we catch up and say goodbye today, I know there will be and look forward to the tomorrow that awaits us.

~:[CH7 - Day 221]:~ And That's a Wrap

~:[CH7 - Day 221]:~ And That's a Wrap

It's strange how camp always goes slow the first few days then, zoom, the week is over. The smoke worked with us through the week as it was clear everywhere we went, something most teams were not so lucky with. For the most part, things went smoothly and the team worked things out. For the seniors, this will be their last Mammoth Camp as an athlete and I always think about how special these last few moments are for them. I guess it's like most things when a great moment comes to an end, there is a feeling of sadness that is over. I just hope that you are happy that it even happened. As while we want to wish for more, we cannot forget to appreciate the fact that we had the opportunity. Life will continue to bring us happiness and sadness day by day throughout our lives, but in the end, we cannot forget to appreciate all that we had. I am even more excited for my seniors and the road ahead for the team, as while we have some work ahead of us, they showed that they could turn things around and wrap up a great week on a wonderful note. [Thank you to all the athletes, alumni and parents who made this week possible! Without the support of the ohana, we would never have a chance of success!]

~:[CH7 - Day 220]:~ The Feeling of Accomplishment

~:[CH7 - Day 220]:~ The Feeling of Accomplishment

The ascent is always the run/hike that our athletes look forward to. It's grueling and even if you made it the year before, there is no guarantee that you will again. That's life. Every year, it gets harder for me, but I keep pushing through and this year, even before we started, I thought I wouldn't make it. I went in with that mindset. However, as I progressed, I began to think that I could make it and kept pushing forward. I was glad to find a senior who was trying to get there and she was the chosen last athlete to get to the lake. We ended up making it and by the end of the hike, I felt a sense of accomplishment I haven't felt in sometime. Taking pictures and chatting after were quite joyous and it's one of those moments in your life that you'll remember forever. As I think back on the day filled with workouts and performances, I am grateful to be able to share as many of these experiences with the athletes and counselors as possible. Championships and honors will fade, but the memories of these moments are things I will carry with me for the rest of my life and those are the greatest accomplishments. 

~:[CH7 - Day 219]:~ Fun & Games

~:[CH7 - Day 219]:~ Fun & Games

On our second day of camp comps, we always wear our team shirts. It ended up going well, as the teams competed well. It almost seemed like things went too smoothly today as we headed down to Bishop, enjoyed our dinner and had fun while bowling. We made a quick venture to grab a late bit to eat and sang to Ryan for a delayed birthday dinner. Camp is a lot of work, but it's days like these that help you appreciate all the effort that went into planning. Soon we will be leaving Mammoth and heading back to reality, but for now, we will enjoy the beauty of the mountains and great company of our ohana. 

~:[CH7 - Day 218]:~ Variation

~:[CH7 - Day 218]:~ Variation

Sometimes we are so stuck in our ways and routines that we fall into a continuous cycle that keeps us from progressing. We keep going round and round, kicking, but not going anywhere. In a week where we add up the miles of training to prepare us for the upcoming season, we always try and find a day to make it to the pool for a workout. It happened to be on one of the busier days, but transitions me into one of the more relaxing days of the week for me. After a busy morning at Mammoth Rock where we had a gorgeous run to an afternoon of fun and games for camp competition, things slowed down as the counselors headed out and I met with the athletes and they met together. They seemed to have made some progress, but the reality is, will they break from that cycle and grow by adding some variation into their days. I myself mixed things up as I ditched the pizza dinner and took a moment to grab a bowl of udon nearby. It was great to meet the owner of the restaurant and chat for a bit, as he was a genuine guy who added some variation to the day. I think we all do it, but sometimes, we need to find a way to mix things up, keep our lives interesting and not be afraid of what is new. What happened yesterday may not be as great the next day and so we can't alway stay in the same spot if we want to keep life interesting. In life, we have the choice to stay and try to stay afloat kicking where we are or we can push away from that wall and try to keep swimming forward, as we try to make the most of our days. I was exhausted by days end, but appreciated all the variations today that had not happened before. 

~:[CH7 - Day 217]:~ Peace & Serenity

~:[CH7 - Day 217]:~ Peace & Serenity

We made our way out to Arrowhead Lake and found the peace & serenity of the surrounding area. It's always nice to hit up this spot, as it is less occupied and we tend to have the place to ourselves. We ran into the owner of the Japanese restaurant in town and later on I would run into him again at the restaurant. It's always interesting to meet people like this. Much like me, he has traveled around but settled at the restaurant here in Mammoth for the time being. I watched him fish and noticed he was also in his own place and later on, would discover that he caught ten fish. I think it's important for us all to find that place of peace within ourselves. The world is hectic and sometimes overwhelming and there must be a place where we can find some calm to allow ourselves to relax and find ourselves. I found that here and also back at the condos as I got a little rest before we hit up our run at Eagle's Landing. It was a little crazy with things going on, but in the end, everything worked out. We closed the night with our cooking competition and some games and while I've been running around with minimal time in the day to relax, the evening allows me to wind things down and get back to that serenity that prepares me for the days ahead. I hope that you all can also find your place as well.

~:[CH7 - Day 216]:~ Blowing Away the Smoke

~:[CH7 - Day 216]:~ Blowing Away the Smoke

The smoke rolled in overnight and when we headed out, there was a bit of smoke. Luckily, it cleared up down by Convict where we met up with Nike. A few of them ran with us and talked to the runners. It was a cool experience. Later on, our athletes met them at the park. I took a group of beginner golfers to the range and they picked up quite quickly and were doing pretty well by the time we finished up. The smoke cleared a bit more, but the heat had picked up a bit. It's one of my favorite runs, as I am able to get some good shots on this road. We wrapped up with chicken night which always is fab and a fun night of camp comps including a new fun game. While the smoke tried to ruin our day, it was nice that things fell into place so we could still make the most of our day. Things will try to get in our way and while sometimes they are unavoidable, if you keep your eyes open and a positive mindset, things might just work out. 

~:[CH7 - Day 215]:~ We Are Ohana

~:[CH7 - Day 215]:~ We Are Ohana

There aren't many things more beautiful than nature. Every year, we come up to Mammoth and soak it all in. However, what is more beautiful than all we see, is what we experience. As we celebrated a 21st birthday of a counselor or caught up, reconnected, or worked together, the spirit and love of ohana is gorgeous. One of things that I love most is the connection of people at the camp and despite the hours of preparation and planning, it's all worth it. The first day was a great one already and despite it being a trek up, as I walked up through the trail and saw the light shine through the trees, I remembered the foundation of ohana and prayed for another great week. This camp is more than just a running camp. It's also about the love and connection of people, athletes, alumni, and adults. We are ohana!

~:[CH7 - Day 214]:~ And We're Off ...

~:[CH7 - Day 214]:~ And We're Off ...

We had two successful trips to Costco with this being 1/3 of our shopping. Yes, we have a load of food and will be eating well for the next week. I've been so grateful to have the help of such a solid group of people who have shown up to support every step of the way. It's difficult to prepare for a trip, but easier when you are surrounded with amazing and supportive people. I cannot believe just how lucky I am. As we packed our final boxes, I was amazed that it's finally time to head off. Every time I head off, all the memories of the past come together and pushes me to make sure that I make the most of every moment in life, no matter how stressful these moments can be. Wish me luck, as it will be a week of little rest, but hey, what's new?

~:[CH7 - Day 213]:~ Protecting What's Precious to Us

~:[CH7 - Day 213]:~ Protecting What's Precious to Us

Today is one of the team's favorite days, the watermelon run. Across the field, the team runs with watermelons, trying to avoid each other and the alumni that stand out in the field. It's all fun and games, but it also makes you think about life. Life is full of obstacles that we face, whether it be objects in our way or our competitors next to us. Sometimes, that things we protect is broken and we do our best to collect all the pieces and take it with us, while other times we are able to protect what we should. It's a difficult task, but when we protect something that we want to defend at all costs, we will go the extra mile to do so. Luckily, today was all fun and games, but let's be reminded that in our lives, we'll eventually face a choice of whether we're willing to sacrifice to protect what is precious to us and if it is, you should put in all your effort to protect it. 

~:[CH7 - Day 212]:~ Spare Tank

~:[CH7 - Day 212]:~ Spare Tank

A double day of practice can be time consuming considering the workout and then the time spent after whether weight room or a team meal, but to add a team event in between is also pretty exhausting. Planning these events is tough, but I also think about the athletes who also spend the entire day with the team. The energy that they put in is amazing and just like myself, they find that spare tank of energy in order to keep moving through the days. I think life is so exhausted, but all that you put into the day is ultimately worth it in the end. I was more tired today than usual by days end, but looking back, I accomplished so much during that time as well. I was pretty happy with how things played out and it was great to see the team enjoy each other's company. We always can't find the energy to fill our days like this, but I hope that each of you fill your days with as much as you want to do, whether it's lounging or being active, so that you make the most of your days. Use that spare tank as often as you can, as the more you give yourself the chance, the more opportunities will come your way. 

~:[CH7 - Day 211]:~ All is Fair

~:[CH7 - Day 211]:~ All is Fair

We didn't wait until after camp this year to hit up the fair and in the end, we had a wonderful evening. It's always nice to get together and just wander around, eat and enjoy. Most of my day was piled up with work that I was finishing up and by day's end, I felt accomplished. I almost completed all of what I needed to do with paperwork, which leaves me with more time to sort through things in the next two days. I solved a mini-crisis and also had a little time to catch up with a friend. In the end, with prizes in hand, we headed home exhausted yet happy that we accomplished a lot. While the fair gave us this sense of accomplishment, I already found it in my ability to focus in and get work done. On days like this, you can only be thankful that you were complete all that you did. Tomorrow's a new day with even more tasks to face, but after today, I am confident that I will be able to take on all things that are coming my way.