~:[CH7 - Day 271]:~ Light Up the Night Sky

~:[CH7 - Day 271]:~ Light Up the Night Sky

The night ended badly as I realized that I had lost an important memory card from my camera, but I tried not to let that spoil the wonders of a beautiful day and night in Los Angeles. As I ventured out to LA, I hit up Little Tokyo before venturing out to Hollywood & Highland as well as the Hollywood Bowl. We were treated by the wonderful LA County Supervisors to a performance of LA Philharmonic and were dazzled by their performances along with special guests including Katy Perry and John Williams. It was quite the surprise and really made this special evening even more special. As while I will hope and pray that the memory card eventually turns up, for now, I will relieve the memories of the day and allow that to light up my darkened mood. Even in these moments, we must be the spark that lights up our day, leaving a glimmer of hope that all will work out. While today was almost perfect, the final moments of tonight, cannot darkened this beautiful night sky that was lit up so beautifully. 

~:[CH7 - Day 270]:~ Taking Some Time

~:[CH7 - Day 270]:~ Taking Some Time

I was a little worried going into the morning, as I hadn't bowled since I hurt my wrist and was just hoping it would hold up. It did just fine. On a Saturday that we actually had free, I joined the adult/junior scholarship tournament and enjoyed the fun mixed format. From picking up spares to no tap, we seemed to do pretty well. The best part was the quality time I had with the family at the bowling alley as some were bowling and others spectating. I ventured off and ended up catching my last Angels game for the season and while it was a disappointing loss and an 0-4 outing for Ohtani, I still left happy that I got another chance to watch. In the end, it was nice taking some time to catch up on some things I have been missing with the busy schedule and even had time to lounge after as I didn't have to wake up too early in the morning. There aren't many of these days, but when there are, I try to take advantage of them. How do you like to spend your days off?

~:[CH7 - Day 269]:~ Mind Boggling

~:[CH7 - Day 269]:~ Mind Boggling

Fridays are normally relaxing, but this one was a little bit different. The school day wasn't too bad, but we had a hill workout since we didn't have a race this weekend. I got home and began working on our times grid and it always can be a bit mind boggling. However, even though it is laborious to do after a race, I think it's something that keeps my mind fresh and working and definitely is a benefit in the end for the athletes. To track their progress and see how their doing through the season is an important part about succeeding in the sport and keeping the motivation to work harder. I had some time to catch up with a few alumni, but overall, it was nice to get work done and feel accomplished at the end of the day, even if it meant that I didn't get to relax as much on this Friday. The weekend should be a great one, so I will get prepared for what is ahead. Let's do this! 

~:[CH7 - Day 268]:~ The Super Powers We Possess

~:[CH7 - Day 268]:~ The Super Powers We Possess

Sometimes we forget, we are all superheroes. Our annual picture day is quite the pain, in fact, it is one of my least favorite days of the year. Trying to corral 130 athletes in an organized fashion and try to keep them still for a few minutes while smiling and not getting distracted, one might think, you'd need super powers in order to do that. As much as I dislike this day overall, I enjoy capturing the memories of the day and realizing things I may not have before. As while it may take super powers to do all of these, I was reminded today that we all have our own super powers that we possess. We are all capable, but we limit what we do because we are afraid that we are not enough. "We're only human," they say, but are we not powerful because we are human? I always thought that we as humans fail to do what we are capable of. We allow our fears to control us and our greed to hold us back, when in reality we don't need a superhero to save us, we only need ourselves. We need our true selves. We need the people who have a pure heart, who care for all those around. We need those who use their minds sans greed to be able to clearly think how to truly conquer any given obstacles. We need our confidence in order to face the situations that scare us away, as they are opportunities waiting to be discovered. We don't need to find a superhero, as we already have the super powers within ourselves. Be confident and brave, be caring, and love, not only those who are close to us, but also the stranger beside us so desperately in need. We need to reach out to those who have less than us, but also not forget to help those who have more than us. As it is in our pure selves that we will find our greatest power, humanity. We live in a world so corrupt and so overcome with all that we detest and it is our job to wipe that slate clean so that our vision is no longer clouded. What we've searched for has been there all along, we just have to find the strength to unveil it and the confidence to share it with the world. As while tomorrow may not reveal the powers within us, with persistence, eventually all will one day be lucky enough to see the greatness that lies within each of us. 

~:[CH7 - Day 267]:~ Growing Pains

~:[CH7 - Day 267]:~ Growing Pains

I think people give up too easily when things are too difficult. This year started out as one of those rough years. A lot of seniors to graduation, a few top runners not returning, and your top runner moving away. The numbers of our team exploded, as we surpassed the number of athletes we expected. However, with that, came our growing pains. With about 80 freshmen and sophomores, to say our team was young and inexperienced could even be an understatement. We had about three races of varsity experience left on our boys side and while the girls up front were striving, a good portion of their team was young as well. It would be easy to walk away, but this is the part about life that is the most fun. What can you do with what's in front of you. A ready-made mix may bring success, but what is the fun when you don't play a part in the transformation and the changes. As the team brought it in, many of them don't even realize the true origins of ohana and what it means every time they bring it in. The term was derived out of a life-altering moment for so many and through the years, it has become the foundation of what we are. As while athletes will come and go, I hope that our bonds and our connections cannot disappear so easily. I hope that these athletes do not take the idea of ohana so lightly and take the extra steps to be welcoming, understanding, work hard and to be determined; I hope that they love and are loved, I hope they overcome challenges they never thought they could even face, and I hope for a future where they never feel alone. A few weeks ago, I wondered what this point of the season would be like and as I look at this group of athletes, I realized that we faced the pain and finally are beginning to grow. It takes awhile before the sprouts of a seed appear above ground, but with the right amount of care and attention, that seed that was planted long before, will grow into something you could never have imagined. It would have been easier to give up, but that would be far too easy. I wish that we all can realize that we are all capable and although we must face the pains of growing, once we find our way through, we will find ourselves amazed at all that we are capable of. The fruits of our labor will be sweet as despite the challenges of today, I know that it will lead to the successes of tomorrow. 

~:[CH7 - Day 266]:~ Love Yourself, Speak Yourself

~:[CH7 - Day 266]:~ Love Yourself, Speak Yourself

We witnessed complete opposites at the United Nations over two days. Today, we heard a leader boast about how great of a job he has been doing, which was received with chuckles and another talked about the struggles of individuals and how we must love ourselves and speak for ourselves in order for us to find love and peace. They were delivered in uniquely different ways and for uniquely different purposes. One was a 72 year old present of a developed nation and one was a 24 year old K-pop singer. It was amazing to hear Kim Namjoon (RM) speak about the Love Myself campaign and how he took his idol-self and made himself an average person who struggles from day-to-day. He didn't use his time to raise himself up, but he used it to try to raise up others and give them the confidence to love themselves and speak up for themselves. The message he delivered in the English he picked up from watching episodes of Friends, resonated in me deeply and reached out to all people from those who struggle and to even those who do not. It made me think of my daily interactions and how we must do our best to be accepting and welcoming to all, as while we may classify them differently, in reality we are all the same, people who wish to love and be loved and who wish to hear and be heard. We live in a world where people judge and people are not patient enough to take the time to care for someone who needs their help. While this is a generalization, I think if we look at the majority of the population, it truly describes us as a society. I know I am guilty of it from time to time and I think I must be more vigilant in changing my ways. The "I"s in his message turned to "We"s and slowly I began to see that as soon as we discover the ability to love ourselves, we gain the confidence to face the world and begin to share the love that we have gathered. We must speak out for ourselves and for those without a voice so that we can create a place where we can be there for each other. On a daily basis, RM may be an idol, but while giving his speech at the UN, he was no different than you and me. He was a boy with a dream, looking up to the sky dreaming like all the rest of us. He wanted to be a superhero and save the world and while others brought him down and didn't allow him to soar then, he found himself and began to fly, speaking to millions encouraging them to do the same. We think that superheros are those who are in movies and are a dime a dozen, however, in reality, we are all champions and we can all be superheroes, even if it's in the eyes of one other person. As I thought about all the ups and downs I had in my life, much like RM referred to in his speech, he said, that no matter what happened, at the end of the day, he was still him, much like at the end of each day, I am me. Every day is an opportunity for us to love ourselves so that we can grow to share that love with those around us. As while we may never fly around with a cape and a mask, it doesn't mean that we will never be a superhero, as everyday presents us with that opportunity. We can boast about how wonderful we are and how great we are or we can simply be ourselves and use our love to truly do something great. 

[Sources - RM of BTS, United Nations Address (9//24/18)]

~:[CH7 - Day 265]:~ Every Blue Moon

~:[CH7 - Day 265]:~ Every Blue Moon

Today was an exhausting day, as I had a pile of work to do and as I tried to work with my photos, my Lightroom wouldn't turn on. I worked an extra period, had an extra meeting and finally got home at 9pm. It's Monday and I am exhausted, but even in the difficulties of starting the week, I was happy to have had a fairly good day. I accomplished a lot, got some stress lifted off my shoulders and even had a good day at practice. I still have things to do, but I made a lot of progress. My team is normally crammed into a small space, but every once in a blue moon, we find the space we actually need to work with a group the size we have. The athletes did what they needed to do and stayed awhile after to try to make sure they could help each other stay healthy. I always say that things are not perfect, but you have to be happy when things are good. Every once in a blue moon, things come together and work out and when they do, soak it all in and even if you're tired, smile and enjoy it. 

~:[CH7 - Day 264]:~ Thankful

~:[CH7 - Day 264]:~ Thankful

I haven't had a day off in awhile. Not a day without going to work, but a day that I am not working. I did a little bit of work, but decided that for the most part, I would make this a me day. From watching a little sports, to wandering around the city, and to catching up on a few personal errands, I was grateful to have a day for me. As I closed out the day for dinner, I thought back about how thankful I am to have the opportunities that I do, to have a proper meal, a roof over my head and the ability to have a leisure day like today. Even when I really think about work, I don't do the extra work because I have to, but I do it because I want to do well in what I do. However, it's no a do or die situation where every hour I work ensures that my family lives another day. With a day where I could clear my mind, I was reminded about how blessed I am and how grateful I should be for all that I have been given. It is days like today that remind me that it is my duty to do what I can to ensure that others also have these same opportunities or at least for another day. While I cannot support a large group of others, at least I can do my part to reach out and share the opportunities that I have been given. Today, I was thankful, for all that I have and was reminded that I shouldn't take these gifts for granted. 

~:[CH7 - Day 263]:~ A Sunny Day in the Hills

~:[CH7 - Day 263]:~ A Sunny Day in the Hills

It was the first time we've been back to this meet in awhile and the kids seemed to enjoy aside from the hot weather. It wasn't killer hot, but just hot enough to make the course tough. Despite the weather, we still found a number of new personal records and it was a great way to keep on moving through the season. I think it was a day like today where you get to enjoy the meet, cheer your runners on and see them grow. The season hasn't started off perfect, but we are making strides in the right direction and because of that, the sun shone brightly down on us today. Overall, the day went well and I began to see things come together, I just hope that the days ahead will be sunny and we'll find a path that is made for us. As while life may through obstacles like hills in your way, together, you can make it through and I was glad to see my team cheering and supporting one another throughout the day.

~:[CH7 - Day 262]:~ Unity Through Proximity

~:[CH7 - Day 262]:~ Unity Through Proximity

I've always realized it, but when you see it happening from afar, it's fun to see. While at times, distance can make people drift apart, being in close proximity, can bring people together. I often hear the cross country team being compared to a cult. Often, we stick together and grow together and I think that is similar to any other team, program, school, household or even workplace. While some of these places detract people, others can bring people together and unify them. Simply, it's in the closeness and the day-to-day interactions. It's much harder to become close to people when they are not constantly crossing paths with you and while you are willing to make the extra effort to connect with those who are very special to you,  your time and situation places brings you closer to those who you see often. One of the reasons why we try to host as many events as we do as that is one of the keys to bringing people together and how we get our cult-like atmosphere. I love to see new connections between athletes and ones who were shy and timid to begin to open up. It takes longer for some to grown into it all, but in the end, the majority of the team finds a way to become a piece of this puzzle we call our ohana. It will never be perfect, but there is no doubt in my mind that over time, what we have built is something special. To all those past and present who have been part of this ohana and had a part in making it become what it is today, I thank you.

~:[CH7 - Day 261]:~ Cruisin' on the Highway

~:[CH7 - Day 261]:~ Cruisin' on the Highway

It was tough. Just a few days after returning from Hawaii, we had an all important league race. It was a little bit of bad timing, but our athletes came ready to roll and this pack of boys became the difference maker in the meet. After a great performance in the girls junior varsity race, our second pack of boys, held off a runner and had their sixth close by in order to help the boys win the meet. It was a thrilling to start to our time in our new league. While we fell short of taking the sweep, we know that with a little bit of work and a lot more rest, we can get back on track so we can try cruisin' on the highway - the 605 that is. As while we hope that our commute is a smooth one, we are bound to hit traffic, need to avoid obstacles and bear through construction before we reach our final destination. Just like that, our team will make it's way through the league so we can ultimately find our way to the open highway we have been dreaming about. As we sat together at the end of the day completing a raid as a team and also sitting over a boiling pot of food, I knew that while it wasn't a perfect day, it was a great way to begin our journey in our new league. 

~:[CH7 - Day 261]:~ Regaining Focus

~:[CH7 - Day 261]:~ Regaining Focus

On the day after we got back from Hawaii, we already had to regain our focus and be ready for the race ahead. Soon, it would be the inaugural season of the 605 league for cross country and we had a bunch of young talent rolling into the season. They had little experience in league with our varsity boys having only two athletes on the squad running a varsity league race last season. It's not going to be easy all factors considered, but that's part of the process. Can you learn to regain your focus and get ready for the challenge ahead? I think we're ready, we will see if they are as well. 

~:[CH7 - Day 260]:~ Walking in the Shadows

~:[CH7 - Day 260]:~ Walking in the Shadows

Sometimes, you feel like a zombie. After landing in the morning, we ventured back to school and arrived to the parking lot at 6am. It was just enough time to shower and get to work. Yes, I went to work after a full day in Hawaii and flight home. I struggled to make it to the end of the day, but by the time I got to the end of the day, I felt a little bit of refreshment. There still is a lot to do, but sometimes, it's nice to get some of the things out of the way. As I stood towards the end of the day with my "여보," (JK) I realized that often we stand in the shadows. For whatever reason, we limit ourselves, we keep ourselves in our safe zone, or we pad ourselves from the dangers that surround us. Sometimes it's laziness, but I've noticed that in many cases, it's not as much laziness as a fear in some that if they try their best and fall short, that they will not be good enough. As exhausted as I was today, my mind was racing, trying to figure out how to pick out those who walk in the shadows and force them into the sunlight. I didn't think I would make it through the day and there are many moments where I did not think that I could reach the places I was aiming to reach, but when I finally took the time to step out of the shadows, I saw something more about myself and decided to see what I could do. Tomorrow, I hope that my body and mind will recover, but today, I found it in myself to continue to push through and I was please with what I found. I felt like a zombie throughout the day, but by day's end, my active mind allowed me to feel inspired and that is the energy that carried me through my day. 

~:[CH7 - Day 259]:~ For the Last Time

~:[CH7 - Day 259]:~ For the Last Time

It's always bittersweet as you're enjoying the beauty of Hawaii, yet you realize that it's your last day here. It was a fun morning as we relaxed on the shores of Waikiki for those who could wake up, stopped by the musubi cafe for the last time then ventured up to the top of Diamond Heat. It was a lot tougher with the heat, but overall a short hike that was perfect for this final day. After enjoy our last moments in Hawaii, it was nice to see a group of mostly sophomores and seniors (with one junior) mesh so well. Every time we make this trip, the group is always different as each have their own special qualities and their own memories. It was the first time we stood together atop Diamond Head, as we stood united staring beyond at the beauty that lay before us. Just as much beauty that lay before us, there was just as much beauty in the memories that we created with a group that was small, but quite memorable. I will leave Hawaii with pleasant memories and only hope that those pleasant memories will help me recover quickly upon arriving home. For the last time on this trip I say aloha, but I guarantee you that I'll be back soon. A big mahalo to this wonderful group that made this trip a memorable one, full of a beauty as gorgeous as our last moments together in Hawaii. 

~:[CH7 - Day 258]:~ Time to Relax

~:[CH7 - Day 258]:~ Time to Relax

It's tough to enjoy Hawaii as much when you are preparing for a race, but when you get a day where you can finally let loose, it ends up being a good day. We were able to play in the marina for a bit and explore a few beaches, before heading back to enjoy Waikiki for the last night. While a smaller group, it's been enjoyable and pretty easy to keep track of everyone. I am sad that we are leaving, but glad that one more planning item off my to-do list is coming to a close. While it can be a pain to plan all the logistics of trips like this, in the end, it's worth it when you see the experiences that the athletes get to have while on this trip, both in exploring a new place and also meeting new athletes who share the same experiences as they do. 

~:[CH7 - Day 257]:~ Timing is Not Everything

~:[CH7 - Day 257]:~ Timing is Not Everything

In a sport like cross country, times play a big role in analyzing teams and how your team is progressing. However, time can not be a perfect measure on how successful a race has gone. On a slow course, in humid conditions, they battled and looked strong. It was nice to see how they began moving up and came through with solid races despite the difficulty of traveling and running in conditions they aren't quite used to. It was great to see them enjoy the day, venturing through the swap meet and then meeting the athletes from the various teams on the course. They were able to successful trade their shirts with other athletes and ultimately closed out the day on a successful note. While we didn't place as high as we had hoped, we still made progress and it's something that times cannot measure. We are such a statistical society where numbers mean a lot, but sometimes, it just cannot measure things not meant to be measured and those are the things that seem to count most. 

~:[CH7 - Day 256]:~ On Stage

~:[CH7 - Day 256]:~ On Stage

I experienced the joys of taking a small group on this trip. It was weird to be wandering around and realizing that you had your whole group with you or to have them show up to a performance and do the same. Regardless, this group has been enjoyable to have around and while we had to rush a bit today towards the end as we stuffed ourselves with food, we ended up having a fun and full day. From the Dole Planation to the North Shore and finishing at the PCC, we got back to the hotel exhausted after spending nearly 15 hours out and about. I wish we weren't in such a crunch for time, but regardless, it's great for them to see such a variety of things, especially when it's one of your coaches performing on stage. We probably could have done a better job resting today for tomorrow's race, but we did make the most of the day and I hope that at least that can be something to push them as they run through the beautiful course tomorrow. 

~:[CH7 - Day 255]:~ An Illusion

~:[CH7 - Day 255]:~ An Illusion

As we soared above the sky, it was quite the illusion as I looked down. It seemed as if we were flying over a volcano, as the sky turned red just as the sun was about to set. It was gorgeous and a wonderful way to be relaxing and also an awesome way to begin the trip.  Sometimes you take for granted the opportunities you have, but in my own life, sometimes these opportunities feel like illusions because of how wonderful the opportunity is. We floating along and enjoyed the view and while the flight felt longer than I wanted to as I actually woke up and stayed awake, it felt like a dream as we headed to paradise. It will be a great few day and while I know I won't get to sleep too much, I know that I will get to relax and enjoy one of my homelands. 

~:[CH7 - Day 254]:~ Oh Baby!

~:[CH7 - Day 254]:~ Oh Baby!

Today, I had lunch with one of the best friends that anyone could hope for and for the first time, I met his son. What a beautiful baby and just like how good of a friend he has been, I know he will be just as good of a father. It's weird how I am surrounded by babies, but it is cool to see those friends and family so close to experience the wonders of parenthood. At times it is overwhelming and challenging and at others, it's the greatest blessing one could ask for. I'm excited to see the growth over time but am confident in the wonderful environment that this child will have for the rest of their lives. The love and the care will be surrounding this child and he is blessed to have such wonderful parents. Oh (what a lucky) baby!

~:[CH7 - Day 252]:~ Just Smile

~:[CH7 - Day 252]:~ Just Smile

I think in times of stress, when we feel overwhelmed or just unhappy, we forget to smile. Sure, I understand you're not suppose to smile in these situations, but think about how far a smile can go. We often take for granted how something so simple can make your day, but on days when you are running from place to place, a smile can mean a whole lot. As while things may feel as if all is going wrong, a smile can at least put some of those things back into place. Smile when you're with those you love, when you want to celebrate something special, and find a way to smile in your darkest moments, as that smile just may help you life the darkness of your day. It's not easy to do, but not only can you help your day get better when you smile, but the day of all those around you.

~:[CH7 - Day 251]:~ This Guy

~:[CH7 - Day 251]:~ This Guy

It's nice when alumni pop in and stop by a practice. While I sometimes feel bad because I cannot give them the attention I want to, to see them is quite refreshing as it reminds me that what I am doing is worth it. When they want to come back, it means you did at least something right. While I wish I had more time to spend with alumni, I am glad for the time I do have with them. On a Monday where everything is chaos and you're trying to get things in order, it is definitely a blessing to have something top it all off. As I fought off the fatigue of the day as I got my laundry list of tasks done, I thought of this moment and another one I had later that day and though, today was a satisfying day. Hoping for a full week of this, but we will have to wait and see. 

~:[CH7 - Day 250]:~ Paint the Night

~:[CH7 - Day 250]:~ Paint the Night

Our lives have become a bowl of responsibilities for many. As we run from one thing to the next trying to make it all work, we also forget to find the all important balance between work and family/friends. It's tough to do, as we have to take care of the many things on our to-do lists and what work demands of us, but we also mustn't forget that we work in order to enjoy our lives. No amount of money is worth the inability to live our lives and while we spend most of our lives working so we can live comfortably, we cannot forget the second half of that phrase. Working in the school, it always saddens me when students are getting pushed to a degree where they miss out on their childhood and teenage years in order to get into the best colleges and get the best jobs. I understand, it's important, but you never get back that time, much like you don't get back the time you lose as an adult. The experiences of sports and activities, dances, and even time with friends are things that help people grow and learn about themselves, teaching them how to work independently and make decisions. For the adults, the time allows you to release your stress and refresh yourself for the work you have ahead. Ultimately, we need to find those days where we go out and paint the night and enjoy the time that life is offering to us. As I at and watched the beautiful parade, I saw my favorite float, amazed at how the lights moved. I smiled knowing that today I left the piles of work behind and spent a day focusing on me. Sure, I will have a load of work to do when I get home, but at least I remembered why I work in the first place.

~:[CH7 - Day 249]:~ Budget Meals Topped in Luxury

~:[CH7 - Day 249]:~ Budget Meals Topped in Luxury

My family, especially my dad and I, can survive on the most basic of food. Tofu over rice, corned beef cabbage, or even simply egg rice can fulfill our taste buds. My dad and I talked about if we actually every had to grow up together on our own, we'd be perfectly fine surviving on basic dishes. Tonight, we had one of those dishes, but we topped it off with a little extra which may have changed the complexion of the dish a bit. I think this is comparable to life. Some of us have a very basic lifestyle. No frills, no big spending, and a low key type approach to things. However, every once in awhile, I also think it's important to top what is important to us (even if it's in its most basic form) with something special to make even the most of basic things specials. We will face a lot of challenges and difficulties, but let's not forget that one of our jobs is to look out for those around us and help when we see the opportunity rather than just sitting back and waiting for something to happen. Doing this can help make those most basic of things and change them into to something just a bit more spectacular. 

~:[CH7 - Day 248]:~ The Identity

~:[CH7 - Day 248]:~ The Identity

There is a lot still to learn. This team is young and new to the sport and so they don't know the routines, the expectations and more. I think that most people assume that you'll get the hang of things right away, but we also have to consider that over half our team are in the 9th or 10th grade. As I did splits, it became even more evident, as the long list of names, kept growing. However, with youth, comes exposure and these athletes have slowly learned about the process and have slowly become part of our fabric. We still need to consider designs and look at where we want to go from here, but tonight was a good start. We could have done a better job in getting everyone to lend a helping hand, we probably could have cleaned up faster and prayed for faster times, however, all of this will come in due time and I know patience will pay off in the end. Today, it was our sophomores who shines, taking home two plaques, however, they are a piece of the larger fabric we are creating as a team. There are many options that will show themselves to us as we create our identity, the only question is, what kind of identity did we want to create? We don't have much time to figure that out, but in the end, I think that regardless of how different our ohana is, we all found a place that we can be together. 

~:[CH7 - Day 247]:~ It's a Balancing Act

~:[CH7 - Day 247]:~ It's a Balancing Act

People often ask me how I do what I do. I'm strong at taking care of the bigger picture items but need to work on the final details. While I am far from doing a perfect job on things, I feel that my ability to balance things has been my key to success. I've failed countless times, yet through those failures, I realized just how to balance things in order to make what seems impossible, possible. I think now days, students are too afraid to take things on, don't trust themselves to do so or don't know how to manage how to do things. They don't see that there is trial and error, rather a success or fail. "I'm either good at it or not," seems to be the thought process, whereas, I realized in my life that I can improve on something I am terrible at through time and hard work. Sure, I'll never be a star, but I can work my way to becoming good and figuring out how to balance it all. The stress of life can sometimes be overwhelming, however, when you figure out just how to balance things, you'll understand that you are more than capable of doing all you wish to do in life. 

~:[CH7 - Day 246]:~ You Win Some, You Lose Some

~:[CH7 - Day 246]:~ You Win Some, You Lose Some

Life is like that. It raises you up and then drops you to the ground. You find success and then you fail; however, you fail, only to get back up and come back stronger. You're going to win some and you're going to lose some, the important thing is that you keep moving forward. We had a rough day on the boys side in our meet, while the girls had a great day. This weekend or next week it may change, but ultimately, you roll with the punches, you learn, you grow, then you repeat. You never know when things will get better or easier, but you have to have the confidence in yourself that you can keep getting up and fighting. Perseverance is one of the most important factors in being able to keep moving forward and it is with this that you get the most out of yourself. You're going to win some and lose some, but just make sure you don't lose sight of what's important. 

~:[CH7 - Day 245]:~ Incredibly Satisfying

~:[CH7 - Day 245]:~ Incredibly Satisfying 

After trying to survive the first day back after a long weekend, we celebrated the start of our season at John's Incredible Pizza. I love going to John's despite the fact that the food is not always the best. We headed there after practice, as we tried to also get ready for the ABC District Championships as well. I had terrible luck, as four games broke on me on the night, but regardless, I had a good time with the team and it was an incredible way to spend the evening. I always have to keep in mind, that things are not going to be perfect, but with the right mindset, these moments can still be just as incredible.  

~:[CH7 - Day 244]:~ A Meal Fit for a Queen

~:[CH7 - Day 244]:~ A Meal Fit for a Queen

I love playing with food. Designing my meals has always been fun and it adds that little extra to every meal that I cook. Today was a smorgasbord as I took care of so many different things, but the most important of all those tasks was making dinner for my mother. I immediately knew what I wanted to make for her and that always turns into a bigger smorgasbord of food. I really wanted to make the meal one that she would remember and with her, building that around a nice steak is the way to go. In this case, a filet and wagyu was the way to go. I focused on every intricate detail as I dropped lemon, garlic and rosemary into the boiling pot with the vegetables and put the final touches on the plating. This dinner was to celebrate my mom's birthday and while she didn't want to go out to a restaurant, she deserved a high quality meal for all that she has done for our family. I'm sure this is a similar story to many of your experiences and today is one of the days I wanted to treat my mom like a queen. I dressed up the dish and wanted nothing more than her to enjoy it all and to feel how special she truly is. I think it happens to often that we take for granted what our parents do for us and today was another day to remind her that she is appreciated. I need to do it more often and not allow myself to save the opportunity for another day because you truly never know how many days are left. To a mother who has dedicated so much, who has loved even more and who never hesitates when we are in need, I am grateful. Words cannot express how grateful I am and how indebted to you I am and while I never will be able to repay you for all that you've done, at least I can show you in the time we have, that you are truly loved. I was exhausted by days end, but tonight pales in comparison to all that she has done for me. Tonight, we had a meal fit for a queen, yet there is no doubt that she is deserving of so much more. 

~:[CH7 - Day 243]:~ Allow Yourself to Fly

~:[CH7 - Day 243]:~ Allow Yourself to Fly

I realized today as I watched the dragonfly fly across the water that too often, we humans make a mistake. We often do not realize that wings that we possess and stay grounded and even when we realize we have wings, we are too afraid to fly. I think in our lives, we have passed on too many opportunities because we weren't up to the challenge, because we couldn't handle the commitment, or because we weren't good enough. All the time I hear students tell me that they "cannot" and while in some cases they are right, in most cases, I see them back away from something that they are more than capable of doing. Similarly, I have seen friends, family and even strangers do the same thing. I wondered, what is holding us back? As the dragonfly flew freely across the water, I thought, I want to feel like that. For most of my life, I kept myself enclosed, but more recently, I've allowed myself to fly. I've allowed myself to see the world, take on challenges and in the process, I've seen myself grow. I know I am far from freedom that this dragonfly possessed, but as I saw the dragonfly, I smiled knowing the freedom it felt. Too many of us have missed opportunities, hesitating out of fear. We fear these opportunities for good reason, yet we must accept the fact that falling short, feeling pain and disappointment, or facing complete and utter disaster may occur, yet taking that leap could also mean a freedom we've searched for all our lives. There will be disappointments and just like the dragonfly, we may be stopped by storms or other obstacles in our way, but if we keep pushing forward and don't give up, eventually, we could find that ability to fly. We've confined ourselves too much in our lifetime, it's now time to allow ourselves to fly. With great risk, comes great rewards and while you need to be smart and grounded, you also have the shed some of the fears that hold you back from becoming who you want to be and where you want to go. Don't drop everything at this instant and change everything about it, but don't be afraid to take on an opportunity when it present itself, as that might be the moment that provides you with the opportunity to spread your wings and fly. Freedom awaits you, fly and never look back.

~:[CH7 - Day 242]:~ Let's Get Mooooooooovin'

~:[CH7 - Day 242]:~ Let's Get Mooooooooovin'

I arrived at my normal time at the park at 4:45am and it was dark as normal. The first thought as I stepped out of my car was, oh no. The ground was wet and as I looked up, the turn under the towers was flooded. The sprinklers were not shut off, so the park was wet. We rerouted the course, continued to setup, and things, while we had our issues, seemed to roll. People both new and experienced stepped up to help and helped make the day a success. We had our problems, but overall, we had more success including the fact that the weather gods were on our side. I ran around so much that the end of the meet came so quickly, we cleaned up even quicker and left the park happy, as it was all over. Every year, putting this together is stressful, but there is something about it that keeps me wanting to go through it all just for this moment. To see athletes pushing their limits, to see the smile on their face when they are rewarded, to see the alumni come back after years of not seeing them, and many more of the amazing moments I experience, I continue to think, it's all worth it. The headaches of organizing an event will always be ever present, but the rewards of putting it on for all those involved is worth it in the end. We had a large group together grab lunch together to celebrate the closing of this year's chapter and I went home and celebrated, as I lounged around for most of the night, putting everything off until later this weekend.