~:[CH7 - Day 302]:~ Who (What) are You?

~:[CH7 - Day 301]:~ Who (What) are You?

I'm guessing no everyone knows who Gudetama is. As I wandered around campus and elsewhere, many people asked, what are you? I thought it was symbolic of life itself. We often face that question who we are as if we are not significant or well-known enough. It was a struggle for one of my alums who battled from a cowboy at Knott's to the lead for a movie that is a entrant for the Oscars. As I watched the movie, I was happy to see just how far he came to make a name for himself and to find those breakthroughs to become well-known. However, whether it is Yoshua or you and me, do we even have to worry if people know who we are? I think many of us live our lives trying to get recognition and in the process, we forget to do what we love and we forget why we started what we are doing in the first place. We try to be impressive, we try to break through and while success is not a bad thing, it's the reasons why you want the success that determine if you're headed on the right path or not. It's great to be well-known, but more importantly, it's better to be who you want to be and keeping track of who you are. Maybe nobody knew who I was today, but I didn't care, because today I was a character who I adore so  much and because of it, I even had an excuse to lay down during practice, pointing where they should be heading. Whether we become well-known in the process or not, the important thing is that we remember who we are as while fame and fortune come and go, we must live with ourselves forever. As the crowds cheered for Yoshi at the end of the movie, I was happy because for almost as long as I've known him, this is where he wanted to be and I think he was able to get her remembering exactly who he was. Hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween!

~:[CH7 - Day 301]:~ It Begins Again

~:[CH7 - Day 300]:~ It Begins Again

Today was a crazy day. I realized how dependent we are on our phones as I tried to locate someone with out it. I ran around trying to get everything done and in the process of forgetting, I had to do more to make sure I took care of what I had forgotten. I caught up on grading, we prepared for league finals, I grabbed a quick bite, and ended the night at the bowling alley, somehow. Regardless, it ended well as the process of Nationals begins again. The tryout is always a bit nerve-wracking but despite the fact that they didn't have much time to prepare, they still managed to do a fairly good job. It's always interesting to see what the next group of juniors is going to look like when it comes to Nationals, but ultimately, I get a good vibe from this group. Who knows what the future brings, but at least I got my first taste of it today.

~:[CH7 - Day 300]:~ It's Family, It's Ohana

~:[CH7 - Day 299]:~ It's Family, It's Ohana

It's one of the team's favorite days of the year, family circles. I know it's a plus to get food on the day, but I love it the most because we finalize our family adoptions and continue building to this large tree that we've built over the span nearly two decades. It brings together people who may have never known each other and begins to bring them into the fold of this program. In the end, after this day, which is one of our last of the season, the team comes together and feels even more like an ohana. As challenging as the first months of the season are trying to get people in line, it's this day that reminds me why I do what I do; seeing these athletes all come together. It's not a team or even a program, but truly an ohana. We have the family tree to prove it. 

~:[CH7 - Day 299]:~ Just a Little Cheesy

~:[CH7 - Day 298]:~ Just a Little Cheesy

I headed back early from San Diego so I could catch the Packers game at the Coliseum. While I planned everything out so I could make it on time, I didn't plan for the droves of Packers fans to be at the game as well. I was awe-struck at how many Packers fans existed, but almost my entire section and our side of the stadium was filled with fans. After a number of costly mistakes, it was the Rams who won out despite the fact that we controlled most of the game. Strangely, there was a sadness among the exiting crowd, not something you'd expect when the home team wins. Regardless, I was left pretty happy, as it was another Packer experience I was able to have, first at Lambeau and now back home in LA. I ventured out and we made a quick stop while picking up the car in Little Tokyo. I had a night of work ahead of me, but even though I ma have looked a little cheesy, the crowds of Packers fan made it so that I fit right in. Win or lose, GO PACK GO!

~:[CH7 - Day 298]:~ Coasting in California

~:[CH7 - Day 297]:~ Coasting in California

It was an early start to the morning as by preference of the groom, we were going to play basketball in the morning before the wedding. We tried to talk him out of it early on, but was Quy referred to it later on that night, it was his stubbornness that won out. The games went pretty smoothly with no facial or visible injuries and so we were all good to go. I didn't have much time to change and because of an error, I also didn't get any food. Regardless, we ventured off to the wedding. It was gorgeous and went just as planned and despite a few snafus and challenges, it all panned out in the end. As the wedding party bonded and got to know each other, it was the moment we arrived to the reception site that captured one of my favorite moments of the evening. As the two stood there in the walkway, you could see the love they had together. This moment was one that they will remember for ever and it was this exactly moment that captured it all. Just beyond these two was the coastline of California that left many of those visiting from afar in awe. As the sun set, it was a dramatic and beautiful moment in a long and exhausting day. After dancing the night away, it was time to say goodbye and while I will part with many of those who I just met and it may be awhile before we see each other again, we created memories that will last for a lifetime or longer. The coast of California beautiful, but it was no match for this beautiful union that we were all witness too.

~:[CH7 - Day 297]:~ The Trek

~:[CH7 - Day 296]:~ The Trek

I got some rest and felt better after resting in the morning. I then headed down to San Diego to meet up with the wedding party for rehearsal and then with the boys to get some time together. It's been a blessing to be apart of this wedding group as we have been able to bond with people from all across the country. With people literally flying in from around the country, it truly made it even more of a special event. The trek is often the most difficult part of a trip, but ultimately, no matter how challenging it was, you realize how much it was worth it when you arrive. It truly was worth it.

~:[CH7 - Day 296]:~ The Scare

~:[CH7 - Day 295]:~ The Scare

It may not have been the smartest idea to venture out when I wasn't feeling 100%, but I vamped up my energy as much as possible and made it out to experience Dark Harbor for the first time in awhile. Before, everything was on the ship and now, it has its own outdoor area with a few mazes within the ship. The ship has a haunted history and so it makes this event a little more frightening. It's so cool how the mazes wind through the ship and lead you to various parts of the ship that you get to see on the tour, but at night. Who truly knows if all the ghosts I saw tonight were actors, as who knows, maybe a few of them were actually real. While I will probably pay the price tomorrow, for now, I guess it was worth the scare. 

~:[CH7 - Day 295]:~ The Standing Ovation

~:[CH7 - Day 294]:~ The Standing Ovation

I wasn't necessarily sure what I was getting myself into when signing up for this performance (Seong-Jin Cho), but little did I know that I would be standing and cheering so enthusiastically for such a wonderful performer. While the Debussy pieces were good, the Chopin pieces were magnificent. The energy and enthusiasm he displayed in his performance were to be remembered. On a day I was frustrated, agitated and stressed, being in there just helped wash it all away. Honestly, I probably should have hung around to meet the amazing performer, but getting late, I decided to head back, thinking about the wonderful performance and the noise from the crowd who stood and cheered emphatically. Days like today will face us all, but sometimes changing the tune a bit can make the day a whole lot better. Today wasn't perfect, but by night's end, I wanted to give the day a standing ovation and that's exactly what I did. 

~:[CH7 - Day 294]:~ On Occasion

~:[CH7 - Day 293]:~ On Occasion 

I actually like to eat at cheaper hole-in-the-wall restaurants more than I do at fancier places, but every once in awhile there is a reason to celebrate. I guess it makes it more special when you save these places for moments such as these. While the food was okay, the service was amazing and definitely made the evening more special. After a crazy day of starting with a dead battery and then running around to get a TB test and things done, it was nice to sit and relax a bit before calling it a day. I have a lot to finish up, but still, on occasion, you need to treat yourself to a good meal and appreciate that you have this opportunity at all. We may think of all the bad that surrounds us and the problems that we have, but even though I am not 1.6 billion dollars richer tonight (Mega Millions Jackpot), I am content with being able to appreciate some of the smaller things in life and for that, I can still celebrate.

~:[CH7 - Day 293]:~ On Any Given Day

~:[CH7 - Day 292]:~ On Any Given Day

On any given day, whether it be a good one or bad one, you may find yourself distracted and not paying attention to all around you. However, on any given day you may miss the opportunity to catch something amazing or awe-inspiring. Someone just turned towards me and said, "Hey! Check out the sky." If they hadn't said anything, I may have missed it, but the beauty of it, was worth the time to check it out. I think that's just it/ Life is about timing and the luck to have someone around you to look just at the right moment before that moment disappears. Had I wanted when I left school that day, I would never have seen it, but on any given day, you have the opportunity, it's just a matter if you take them or not. Today I was blessed with a beautiful sky that my friend in Tokyo said he wished he could see, but who knows if he also had the opportunity to catch a similar sight and he just missed it. Be aware and look around, as on any given day, you may find a sight to see.

~:[CH7 - Day 292]:~ With Excitement

~:[CH7 - Day 291]:~ With Excitement

I don't particular enjoy when attention is brought in my direction. I liked to do my work, enjoy the fruits of my labor, and sit back in the background. However, our MUN group is loud and exuberant, things that do not bode well for someone like me. Regardless, I was proud of them and their efforts. It's not always easy spending a weekend at a conference, but as I said previously, MUN students find themselves growing so much and many of those who were recognized today, started in the same way. I would rather walk around a park alone that in a room staring at me waiting to speak, but sometimes it's worth the discomfort to celebrate in their success. Nine delegates took home gavels in almost half the committees along with the delegation award; I guess I can figure out why they were so excited. Tomorrow, hopefully I can curl up into a ball in the corner of my room, but for today, I soaked it all in and dealt with it, because it definitely was a day that they should have enjoyed as they did - with excitement. 

~:[CH7 - Day 291]:~ Diggin' In

~:[CH7 - Day 290]:~ Diggin' In

Society has been so much about keeping clean and not spreading germs that I think they forgot about the days where we played in the dirt, wiped our nose, and cleaned it off on our shirts. We weren't germaphobes and we seem to have turned out all right, don't you think? Regardless, after collecting dust at Mt. SAC, we ended up at Nine Seafood with our team. Despite some hiccups with the service, we ended up enjoying our time together after our last invitational. It's amazing how fast a season can go by, but I guess time flies when you're having fun. We may have come home covered in dust and needing a shower when we go home, but that part of the fun of living. Don't be afraid of a little dirt and a little mess, as that keeps life all the more interesting. 

~:[CH7 - Day 290]:~ Unmasked

~:[CH7 - Day 289]:~ Unmasked

One of the things I learned through cross country and working in the classroom is that you cannot judge a person by their first impression. Whether they are more troublesome than they appear at first or whether it just takes some time before they are willing and able to open up. I usually get the second and it's was nice to see some of my athletes begin the process of unmasking themselves and showing who they truly are. I think it's hard to transition and to make new friends when you've had the same ones for so long. Sometimes they thing they are not welcomed, but once they open up, they find themselves a big piece of the group. I cannot say that all of those I come across have been able to unmask themselves and fit in, but at least the ones we have been able to, we seem them bloom and become a big piece of this ohana. 

~:[CH7 - Day 289]:~ Safety First

~:[CH7 - Day 288]:~ Safety First

I took a selfie like this with my brother, but since he posted it, I decided to post this one. It's funny how we are next to each other on the blacktop for evacuation. I guess things just work out that way. In any case, it was a practice for the California Shakeout as we tried to implement our plan for evacuation. It's good for us to do this so we can figure out exactly what we are doing when something like this was to occur. I learned some things, but now also have a few more questions to figure out after the drill. I guess the drill made the day breeze by as before I knew it, the end of the day arrived. I had a quick moment to meet a group at Saddleback, then headed to a quick meetup before getting back to get some work done. I have a pile of work and not much time to finish, yet, in the same instance of figuring out that I had a lot of work to do, I loaded my schedule even more without even thinking about it. Spontaneity can be a good thing sometimes, but too much of it can definitely be troublesome. It is going to be a crazy 12 weeks ahead, but if I survive this, I'll just find myself busier for the next 12, haha. Oh well, while safety comes first, sometimes, you just run as fast as you can to keep up with life; with a helmet on, of course. 

~:[CH7 - Day 288]:~ Jaw Dropping

~:[CH7 - Day 287]:~ Jaw Dropping

I think the growth you see among MUN students is quite amazing. While parents are searching for APs or the best route to college, they fail to see a path that will truly develop their students in away that can make them astounding. I probably could be a little bias and yes, we do get a different breed of students often, but to remember this group as freshman and to see them today reminded me of what makes this program so special. MUN requires a mutual unsaid agreement that we will be willing to guide them and they will be willing to put in the time. There is a support system that helps them get through the rough times and there are moments where a student will find themselves struggling on their lonesome; both are beneficial to these students. The students learn how to independently claw their way out of tough moments in their lives, yet they also learn to work with others and help each other. The knowledge they collect over four years is immense and the confidence they gain is even greater. They learn how to think things through, learn how to relate and converse with people, they eventually figure out how to manage their time and deal with a pile of work and ultimately, they blossom, figuring out that the "I CAN'T" was actually always an "I CAN." It's not for everyone, I can admit that. However, if a student is willing to open themselves up to the program and make the effort, they find themselves on the fast track to becoming jaw dropping. They're not going to all grow up to be 100% confident or the most stunning speaker, but it doesn't mean that they won't be impressive. When I reconnect with our alumni, I see all the amazing things they are doing in this world and how they grew over their time in the program. I see the impact they had as they guided those who came after them and the brickwork they laid for them so their ride could be much smoother. I am hoping that people see the beyond the labels, as I want as many people as possible to go through this transition. It's a lot of time and often times demanding, but if you want to become jaw dropping, it's not necessarily going to become easy. However, based on how own experiences, you don't have to arrive ready-made. As I stood in the back of the room listening to speech after speech and watching the students develop intellectual questions on the spot, I smiled because I saw the growth that they all went through since the day they stepped foot in my class. Their efforts through these four years was evident and all the efforts they made are what got them to this point. My jaw literally dropped, whether it showed or not, and it made me think that school cannot just be about memorizing, completing work, or filling up a resume, but it must also be about growing and preparing for the road ahead. After today, despite the difficulties they faced to get to this point, I am confident in their speaking abilities and their ability to succeed on the road that's ahead. This program does something incredible to you and today, incredible couldn't even begin to describe what I experienced today, as it was truly jaw dropping.

~:[CH7 - Day 287]:~ Keeping the Fire Alive

~:[CH7 - Day 286]:~ Keeping the Fire Alive

As you watch fire, sometimes it has the tendency to go out. I think these flames signify our lives. At some point that flame goes out, but we have to do what we can to make sure that it keeps burning. Whether it be surrounding ourselves with the right materials or finding something to keep it burning, it's really up to us if we want that flame to keep burning. Day in and day out, it's hard to want that for ourselves, as some days, it just isn't your day, but if we let that one day ruin all the time that we invested to keep our fires burning, then we just let all that effort go to waste. Tomorrow is another day and next week, there will be another today, it's just a matter of keeping it going and finding something to not allow our flames to burn out. It's not an easy task, but with each passing year, we will make new discoveries in hope that it will lead to us keeping that flame alive for years and even decades. Let's never give up and never back down and keep that fire alive within us all.

~:[CH7 - Day 286]:~ In the Midst of It All, Life Happens

~:[CH7 - Day 285]:~ In the Midst of It All, Life Happens

I dislike conflict. I like it when things go smoothly and there isn't much to deal with. Often times, however, that's not the case. Even before I stepped foot into my classroom, that conflict arose and my discomfort joined it. I adjusted my schedule so we could face what we needed to and it wasn't the way I wanted to start my day. I wanted to run away and hide, but my responsibilities wouldn't let me do that. I don't mind being huddled in a corner and being left alone, but that's now how life works. It days like these that remind you of all the nonsense you don't want to deal with, but you have to, are components of what makes up your life. They keep you on your toes, help you learn and grow, and help you step outside your bubble that you so desperately want to remain; scratch that, that I want to so desperately remain. The truth is, it's good for me and good for all of us. As while the bad is light a weight that compounds the stress that we carry around on the daily, it strengthens us and also is apart of that thing we call life. Many have said that you must travel through the darkness before you can see the light and in both the dark and the light, you find life. Your teams will win and lose, your loved ones will come and go, your heart will break, tears will flow and so will the laughter of joy. While you may think I am oversimplifying life itself, the reality it is true. Sure, we do experience a wide array of emotions that go beyond this simplification, but to keep it simply, all of these components are what truly make up life. In the darkness, we find as much of our lives as we find in the light and the opposite is true as well. We must face heartbreak, tears, happiness, and fear among other things so that we can live and when we void ourselves of one thing, it eliminates the other. How can we feel relief when we do not have fear or stress? You may want to run away from many things in your life, but when you face up to them, you'll discover how to truly live. I don't want to look ahead as I know all the bad that's ahead. It's inevitable. People will grow old, accidents will happen, there will be failure and heartache, but in the midst of all that, I know the opposite will also be true as I will be able to create memories, will discover miracles, and will find love, joy, and happiness. Tomorrow or the next day, we will travel along the same bumpy road, but without it, we wouldn't be able to appreciate the joy of a smooth ride on the long journey ahead. 

~:[CH7 - Day 285]:~ A Walk in the Park

~:[CH7 - Day 284]:~ A Walk in the Park

My plan today was to celebrate a birthday and then to get work done. In the middle of it all though, I took a walk in the park. I actually went to drop something off, but took a short detour and went Pokemon hunting with this one. It was different than planned, but that's just how things go. When you think about it, sometimes life is just a walk in the park. You run across people and end up getting distracted and doing something else for a bit before realizing that you were suppose to do something else. Most people associate a walk in the park with being easy, but in my experience, a walk in the park can also lead to a lot more time spent, but often, it can be well spent. Yes, I should have finished a bit more work at home, but the short time I spent walking around, chatting and catching Pokemon was worth the time, twofold. I am often someone who has tunnel vision as I always need to focus on my task at hand whether it be for work or play, but sometimes, the detour is exactly what you need to refresh yourself so that you can regain your focus and motivation. The next time you feel overwhelmed, maybe you can try taking that walk in the park to see if maybe it's just what you need. Today, it was for me.

~:[CH7 - Day 284]:~ The Heart Lifts Dragging Feet

~:[CH7 - Day 283]:~ The Heart Lifts Dragging Feet

Sometimes your feet can become exhausted after a long day's work. From a 6:30am start, I was out and about around campus, lifting and running and doing odds and ends. My mind was okay, but my body was exhausted. When the day ended, it was not time to rest, rather time to head to the dance. I couldn't tell I wasn't going to survive the entire night, however, I stayed long enough to see the crowing of the Homecoming queen. While the ceremony was suppose to take place last night, mother nature asserted herself and postponed the ceremony until this evening. After announcing the Homecoming queen, there were some chants for one of the other nominees, however, the queen demonstrated just why she was selected. Instead of any negative reaction, she turned and gave him her flowers and shared the spotlight with him. My dragging feet were lifted by this and it made me reminisce of the growth of our wonderful queen who stepped into my MUN class four years ago. As a freshman, she didn't think she belonged in the class, but every year she showed that she did. She learned, she grew and tonight she showed the beautiful heart she always possessed. She showed herself to be queen-like and for that, my heart was overjoyed. Life presents us with situations where we have a choice and we can choose to let those moments bring us down or to shine, as did our queen this evening. Her heart and willingness to share that spotlight is one of the reasons why that by night's end, I could smile after an exhausting day. As while my feet were dragging, my heart was ready to soar. 

~:[CH7 - Day 283]:~ Lightning Up the Sky

~:[CH7 - Day 282]:~ Lightning Up the Sky

Does lightning travel up or down? The lightning we see comes from the ground up and boy was it amazing this evening. As scary as it was having it come so close by, leading to the cancellation of the Homecoming halftime show and the postponement of the game, I was so enthralled by it. We were in a good battle on the field, as our defense made some good plays to keep the score close despite an early pick-6. It was a day which was quite weird, as a beautiful day turned into an ugly evening with a spectacular light show. The rally in the middle of the day was quite entertaining, as was meeting up with an alum over lunch to catch up. While there was good and bad in the day, there was always something to look forward to and in this case, in the middle of this storm, it was the lightning. As the stadium was evacuated, I looked up to the sky and just sat in awe of the beautiful show we were being treated to. I decided to retreat to safer grounds, but in the end, I am so grateful to see such a wonderful display that mother nature provided.

~:[CH7 - Day 282]:~ It Never Ends

~:[CH7 - Day 281]:~ It Never Ends

I always am relieved when I finish a big project, but it always seems that another one comes up quickly thereafter. As busy as I am going from one event to another, I realize that it would not be possible with the support of those around me who step up to help me pull through. In this case, it was a few alumni who joined me in grabbing the drinks for this weekend's conference. The process is pretty exhausting and tedious, but when you see the project come together, it's always a sight that you love to see. As I move from project to project, my body does get exhausted, but it's people that step up to make it work that help revitalize the soul. 

~:[CH7 - Day 281]:~ Attachment

~:[CH7 - Day 280]:~ Attachment

It's always interesting to see a growing sense of attachment to things. For me, I love stopping by home for a bit to see my nephew and today, he began his attachment to his penguin. I think we all need those things that we hold near and dear to our hearts, as it provides us with the core things on which we build our foundation in life. Sometimes these things are simply sentimental, yet that can mean more than anything of value in this world. Whatever you hold near and dear to you, hold on to it, as in the best of times or in the worst of times, it can be the rock that can keep you steady.

~:[CH7 - Day 280]:~ Life Pays You Back

~:[CH7 - Day 279]:~ Life Pays You Back

I always see that the more time, energy and effort you put in, the most you often get back. Obviously, in some cases, it doesn't work out that way, but ultimately, when you spend more time working, you'll eventually reap the rewards. I have been lucky to have athletes that do that, but even more so, alumni, parents and other supporters who spend the extra time helping out. Often, they are behind the scenes, but I love it when they get the spotlight that they deserve. I often hear, "I don't know how you do it," but the reality is, it's all the people around me that help me do what I do. They all put in the time alongside me in order to reap the rewards of all of our efforts. I've always been taught to give graciously and generously expecting nothing in return and it's taught me that eventually life pays you back for all that you do. Through all the ups and downs in life, there has one thing that has been rock solid, the support that has come from all those around me - the ones who deserve the spotlight. Life is going to pay you back for all that you do and I just hope that those who have helped me will eventually reap the fruits of their generosity, as their gifts will be well deserved.

~:[CH7 - Day 279]:~ Back in Time

~:[CH7 - Day 278]:~ Back in Time

It felt like I was going back in time. I stopped by the park and played HORSE until it got dark. It was weird. It felt like the old days when I was younger and we would play outside until we couldn't see anymore and then just sit around until we had to go home. It's sad that students these days don't experience a lot of these joys as many of the parks at night are empty as they are either studying or distracted by technology. I wouldn't say it was a better time, but a time that I enjoyed. Tonight was nostalgic and despite how difficult Monday's can be, today felt pretty great. I may not be able to turn back time, but it doesn't mean I still can't enjoy some of these pastimes and reminisce about moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.

~:[CH7 - Day 278]:~ A Pizza to Share

~:[CH7 - Day 277]:~ A Pizza to Share

I think life is about sharing yourself. I think one thing that does it better than anything else is in fact pizza. Often times, pizza is associated with parties or gatherings as a multitude of pizza share a large dish. Sure, sometimes people eat their own individualized ones, but often, they order a pizza for a family or group. I think life symbolizes us best, as the variations of each, even when the toppings are the same are endless. No pizza ever has an exact configuration, much like humans. As I chowed down on the pizza, I kept thinking of how wonderful it is to be able to share this pizza and this time with those around me. Friends, families and even strangers play such a huge role in our lives and my hope is that we are all willing to share a pizza of our lives with each other. While there will be good moments and those that are not so good, when we do it together, we can find solace, peace and love together as well. This post is getting a little cheesy so I'll leave it at this, hoping we are all prepared to share a pizza of our days with one another today, tomorrow and until our very last day.

~:[CH7 - Day 277]:~ Blurring Reality

~:[CH7 - Day 276]:~ Blurring Reality

It was a little nuts. An error made the day a lot more hectic and helps you realize that taking the time to double check always makes life easier. Responsibility wins and lack thereof is what causes you more stress. Despite it all though, my athletes came ready to go and I was so proud of how the meet went. Despite the course, the athletes found their way to PRs and really found progress as the second heads into its second phase. With a championship in had, we went to celebrate among the crowds at Knott's Scary Farm. While the crowds were annoyingly long, it still was a pleasure to be able to share these experiences with the team and to allow some of them to experience it, as they may not have been able to without the event. In the end, some days feel like it's a nightmare or a dream and the reality that exists can sometimes be blurred. It's our job to wait for the fog to clear to see what reality truly exists around us so we can make the decisions necessary to progress or to change what needs to before we proceed forward. The day may have started with an error, but by day's end, the reality I saw was a pleasant one to my eyes. 

~:[CH7 - Day 276]:~ Enchanting

~:[CH7 - Day 275]:~ Enchanting

It was definitely a day of running around when I didn't have much time, but I am not sure how different that is than how my every day is. I'll eventually have to learn to slow down and take it easy, but for now, I'll keep at it. From organizing a race, planning for potluck and and even tomorrow, I cringe just thinking about what I have left to do, but it's events like today that make it a lot easier to handle. From the beautifully decorated homecoming top 5 rally themed, the Enchanted Forest to a grand old time together at potluck, it was a busy day with wonderful moments. While there are easily ways that today could have been looked at in a problematic way, the truth is that it ended up being a great one. The issues will pass, but the memories of moments like these will last a lifetime and in my opinion, that is simply enchanting.

~:[CH7 - Day 275]:~ Just Breathe

~:[CH7 - Day 274]:~ Just Breathe

Just as this moment captures the many emotions of a race, I think the many emotions of a day are very similar. On a day where I am out of the classroom, it usually means, double the work. Sadly, today was probably even more. I thought I would have more time to catch a breath, but it was a day where I was searching for a moment to breathe. I worked through the night and was just hoping to survive. As I look at this photo seeing the focus, the encouragement, the excitement, and the hope, I begin to wonder, how do we get ourselves to simply breathe. It's difficult when there are so many complex things in front of us, but sometimes, our biggest issues are not the obstacles in front of us, but rather, the obstacles within us. We stop ourselves from finding success or relaxation or growth due to confidence and planning among other things. As these athletes ending up putting out one of their best performances of the year, it was nice to know that even though I didn't have much time to simply take a deep breathe, I still knew that tomorrow was another day filled with the same mixed emotions, much like it will be the day after and the day after that. I have no doubt that another obstacle is coming my way, but maybe the reality of it all is that I simply need to breathe so I can find my way to success. 

~:[CH7 - Day 274]:~ Together We Rise

~:[CH7 - Day 274]:~ Together We Rise

In life, together you rise and divided you fall. Sure, this year was an example of how you need to rebuild sometimes, but if you stick together, you will grow together and then in turn rise together. When people splinter from the group, you leave yourself more at risk of falling than if you can stick together. My grandfather used to say that a single stick can easily be broken, but together, it will be tough to break. Similarly, while we may find our struggles, together, we will find much more success and be able to withstand the difficulties ahead. The storms came this evening, but just like our team, we will weather them and I hope that you will too.

~:[CH7 - Day 273]:~ The First Step is the Hardest

~:[CH7 - Day 273]:~ The First Step is the Hardest

Taking the first step is the hardest. When you look at a challenging in front you, accepting that challenge and not turning away is truly a daunting task. While the end of the road gets a little tough as you begin to become fatigued, without the confidence to take on that challenge, you would never have reached that point to begin with. I think not enough emphasis is placed on the mental aspects of life and being confident enough to take on challenges that may even seem insurmountable are key to your ability to find success. If you don't take on that challenge, you'll never really know what you're capable of. As I ventured through UCLA, catching up with some alumni, I saw this scene and knew, this is what life is all about. Take that first step, even if it's scary, being confident in yourself with high hopes and dreams. In some cases, you may not reach the top, but alas, if you take on these challenges enough time, you'll eventually find your way to the top. Strangely, in being with many of these young people aspiring for a great future, they all will face many of these opportunities and I hope that they don't back down and have the confidence to take that first step forward. Let's support one another, be encouraging, so that together, we can all keep taking those steps forward, especially the first, which always seems to be the hardest. 

~:[CH7 - Day 272]:~ Leaps & Bounds

~:[CH7 - Day 272]:~ Leaps & Bounds

Sometimes it' easier to simply accept where are at. Then again, what's the point in living if you do not test who you are and what you can be. It always disappoints me to see athletes who do partial effort and fail to give it their all in what they do. Then you see athletes who push their limits to see what they're made of. It's pretty common that you see the athletes who put the time in progressing leaps & bounds over those who did not. As while I understand that it's easier to simply accept where you are and to give up, when you test your limits, who know's where you'll end. up. I was exhausted by the end of this Monday, however, putting in extra time is not an issue when you see a group willing to work so hard. It is my hope that I see all those around me truly trying to discover what they are made of, as I feel that not enough of us test who we truly can become. Hopefully we all see that we are capable of progress that is leaps and bounds above the rest.