~:[CH10 - Day 30]:~ Endurance

 
~:[CH10 - Day 30]:~  Endurance

One of the things that stands out among MUN students is their resilience. For seniors, it takes a lot of resilience to make it this far in the program and at longer conferences like this, endurance is a key factor to success. Many of us struggle staying focused for a few hours on our work, let alone a movie or show, but these students will have spent over 20 extra hours on the computer over the weekend just for this. They deserve a lot of respect and I am so proud of them for making it through this marathon of a day with all of them involved and focused, although a little tired by night's end. I was exhausted so I can imagine how they felt as well. I do hope they were able to meet new students from north of our border at the social and make new connections as while it's difficult to do online, it's better than the isolation we normally face in these difficult times. It is in times like these that this endurance pays off, as even in my classes, these students have continued to produce work I can be proud of. One more day to go, but even now, I'm already proud of all the work they put in.

~:[CH10 - Day 29]:~ Here We Go ... AGAIN

~:[CH10 - Day 29]:~  Here We Go ... AGAIN

Another weekend, another conference. School finished and the students gathered together online again to join the Vancouver Model UN Conference. This conference is often a challenging one because of the length of the sessions and while most of our conferences were shorter, the Vancouver conference continued its rigorous schedule. I love the fact that so many of our seniors joined in for this conference, but at times, I know it was hard for them to stay attentive after a full day of school online. Regardless, I tried to keep their spirits up and keep them awake and I was definitely pleased that they were engaged and involved. Tomorrow will be the true test as they'll have to with stand a marathon day of ten hours spanning a 15-hour day, but I know they can do it.  Just one week removed from the Korea conference, we are back at it, AGAIN!

~:[CH10 - Day 28]:~ Fried

 
~:[CH10 - Day 28]:~ Fried

My brain is fried, but in a good way (kind of). Since Thursday last week, it's been chaotic between MUN, teacher prep, and my own classes. Attending a loaded schedule conference this weekend isn't idea, however, it's kind of nice in a way. To have this level of busyness is nice as it's not overwhelming, but feels like thing back to normal. As I rushed to get dinner cooked up, I ate quickly, jetted over to my computer for grills and then studied for my language class. It was nice and while I liked having a free mind without the worrying of planning, I definitely missed it. Days go by quicker and don't drag on and more memories are made in the process. While I hope that I can still find times to do the things I've enjoyed doing in my personal life, I also am looking forward to more days like this one. 

~:[CH10 - Day 27]:~ The Star is You

 
~:[CH10 - Day 27]:~ The Star is You

On days where you seem to blend in with the background and as you watch athletes and celebrities on television, you fail to realize that the star in the show of your life is you. As we react to what we see on screen, the reality is that we live in our own show that is called life. Within us, we all have the celebrity caliber as we have the power to control the scene around us. Just like in any drama, there will be celebrations as well as struggles, but as you stride through your every day, take control of that spotlight and make it into what you want. Obviously there are factors that will change how the plot goes, but never lose sight of where you want the storyline to go. In discussion with a few of my friends, it's often the fact that we are directed and driven by what's around us and those around us when we can take the wheel and drive in the direction in which we want to go. 

~:[CH10 - Day 26]:~ Up Close

 
~:[CH10 - Day 26]:~ Up Close

Today was a crazy busy day. With a full class schedule, meetings, class and even a dinner that took a while, it was hard rolling from one thing to the next. However, in the middle of the madness, I took a walk to school to pick up some things that I needed. On my way, I saw something interesting. While I wanted to save the bee, it was too late and no way I was going to mess with the brown widow without anything to catch it, so I did the next best thing, I recorded it. To see this up close was sad, but also something that reminded me of the intricacies of nature. To see the webs coming from the brown widow as it wrap it's capture was quite an amazing thing to witness. It reminded me that there are so many things that we fail to see, but when we stop and look up close, we open ourselves to a world of amazing things. Sure, these things are not always great, but in some cases, they're reality. While it's not something I want to see on a regular basis, it was quite the experience to see this firsthand and a nice break from the madness of the day. For just a minute, I was able to slow down and observe rather than face the madness of the day itself. I hope we all get that chance to find something new and in a moment of pause, find the time to look closely at what we've been missing. 

~:[CH10 - Day 25]:~ Flavorful

 
~:[CH10 - Day 25]:~ Flavorful

I made a lot of interesting things during the pandemic while cooking, but when I ask my parents what they want to eat, my dad responded with dumplings. It wasn't a fancy dish, but I followed his wishes and made him exactly what he requested. I ended up picking up these steamers online and they were perfect for this job. Sometimes the most flavorful things in life are the simplest and this definitely fell under that category. It was nice to spend some time with my parents and eat such a simple yet delicious dinner. While often some live in luxury and enjoy all the world's finest, sometimes the most flavorful thing out there is actually found in simplicity. 

~:[CH10 - Day 24]:~ Virtually Borderless

 
~:[CH10 - Day 24]:~ Virtually Borderless

While I have another conference for the entirety of next weekend, I will be glad that committee doesn't go until 1:30am every day. As we attended KMUN (Korea Model UN) for the first time, we tried to adjust to the time difference attending committee at night. At least one of the three students who attended worked during the day, so imagine having to drag yourself through that schedule. Regardless, the pandemic and virtual conferences have allowed the world to become virtually borderless. It was great for the student to meet people from Korea and debate with them in committee. It's one thing to discuss world issues, but to experience it with delegates on the other side of the world makes the debate extra special. The students were ecstatic as we closed out the conference. The conference only hosted two high school committees (with one middle school one) and we were able to get best delegate in both. On top of it all, we won two of the three raffle prizes. I am so proud of all three students who participated as they spent every night since finals in committee. They gave up four nights, but gained something that is priceless. I hope that even when this pandemic is over, this type of collaboration can continue, as it was truly a blessing to be able to experience something I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. Amazing job to the three students who participated this weekend! 

~:[CH10 - Day 23]:~ Don't Forget, We Can Still Dream

 
~:[CH10 - Day 23]:~ Don't Forget, We Can Still Dream

While the video piece is much more dynamic than the still, I wanted to create a feel of a dreamlike place that we only see in our dreams. At a time where things are so challenging, it's a good reminder that we still can dream. I think I wrote about this topic in 2020, but I think it's a much needed reminder. As we trek along seeing the trail we need to follow, at the end of it, we see our beautiful oasis awaiting us. Keep your eyes on it and keep moving towards it. The light is just above the horizon for us all and if we keep doing what we need to do, we will get there even faster than we imagined. Life itself is already full of challenges, so why would we deny ourselves something that can bring us so much joy and optimism, dreaming. 

~:[CH10 - Day 22]:~ Jumping for Joy

 
~:[CH10 - Day 22]:~ Jumping for Joy

What brings you joy and what will destroy it? Does a moment ruin the rest of your day or can you overcome that by focusing on the joys of the day itself. While there was a moment that could have ruined the day, I looked past it and soaked in all the beauty around me. I jumped for joy knowing that I avoided the constraints of home, as I continued created my introverted guide to the world, finding the most isolated places around. The result? I drove home with good food, a lot of great views, and memories that made my day, even if it only took half of it. As I rolled on through the day, I caught up with another alumni and then went back to checking out our students in committee for their conference in Korea. It's been a little rough since committee goes until 1:30am, but we've been surviving, barely. Regardless, these experiences have left me jumping for joy and even when a little bump gets in the way, I try to not allow to ruin the day itself. Let's try our best to shed ourselves of those small things weighing us down so we can jump for joy.

~:[CH10 - Day 21]:~ Star Studded

 ~:[CH10 - Day 21]:~ Star Studded

I wrapped up finals and then jump directly to another Zoom. While the pandemic has limited us, it also made us realize how we were limiting ourselves. While it's great to do these in person, it made me realize I was a fool for trying to travel around gathering all these alumni, when I could have just popped open a Zoom and kicked off an interview. Today's group of interviewees was definitely star-studded including an incredible Broadway star, an amazing pastor and his brother, who you might know as Ben from Umbrella Academy. It was great to catch up with them all and I simply loved the ability to connect with alumni, hear about their experience and begin to see more and more how amazing of a school we all come from. Our school has produced such an amazing array of talent in all different fields and I think that's what makes it so amazing. While I have started with a circle of people I am familiar with, I hope to expand it beyond to people who I don't know so I can hear more about their experience at Cerritos. I am going to start going over the old list of alumni, so if you signed up previous or I know who you are, expect me to contact you! If you know anyone (alumni, staff, parents, etc), feel free to share this with them! The pandemic may have been tough, but in every difficult situation, we find the ability to find a new door that welcomes new opportunities. 

~:[CH10 - Day 20]:~ Move Forward

 

~:[CH10 - Day 20]:~ Move Forward

As I finished up my homework (yes, I still have homework), I made a mistake and wanted to go back and fix it. It wasn't a mistake that messed it up, rather a small error that kept it from perfection. I didn't fix it. The amazing Amanda Gorman said in his poem today that we are not necessarily striving for a union that is perfect, rather than one of purpose. As I sat and realized that I did what I had aimed for, I knew I could move forward. As while there will be a divide between us, we must move forward. There are so many things to complain about, to worry about, to get angry about, but there are many more things that we can look forward to. There is a lot of work to do to rebuild all that has been destroyed in our life, but we are not going to be rebuild doing things the way that we want. Those who play that role are going to be the very ones who keep us from moving forward. Today, we took one of those steps forward. From a speech that was presidential, to the beautiful poem and even a press conference that was a relief, so much has changed in this single day, yet, still so little has changed. Instead of letting what hasn't changed pull us down, we must move forward and work towards progress. Yes, we still need to seek that change, but instead of not budging until you get what you want, you need to slowly work your way towards the goals you which to achieve and how you want the world ahead to be. It's not a, now give me what I want moment, but rather, let's see what we need. The signs of it are already evident, as the discussion that wasn't happening before seems to be happening and we are slowly, but surely moving forward. It was wonderful to be able to quickly run across a few people today and while at a distance, we still had the opportunity to bask in the glory of this day. I was inspired to do a lot and in turn made a lot of progress, however, it is just a single step in a journey that will last a lifetime, however long that may be. Don't strive for perfection, rather strive for purpose and let that purpose guide you.

~:[CH10 - Day 19]:~ If 2020 was a Movie

~:[CH10 - Day 19]:~ If 2020 was a Movie

I entered another editing contest. The image I saw was a mountain and instantly, I thought of King Kong. Boom. How will this all end? This edit reminded me of 2020 and this start to 2021. The last three quarters of 2020 was miserable. While we learned how to cope, adapt and figure things out, we also missed loved one, normal routines and just interaction. Speaking as an introvert, it was probably easier than some for me, as I like the comforts of isolation, but not this much isolation. I actually like to wander despite enjoying that solitude. Rather than a corner, I rather be isolated on a mountain or even wandering around among people, but in solitude, as people pass me by as if we were in a movie. In 2020, I saw things that I only thought I'd see in a movie or Kdrama. When the villain of the story continues to get away with things that others would not have, I always wondered, how could nobody step up and stop them? How can these people still serve this one person. However, in real life, we saw the barriers to protect come up and sadly, it was not a movie, but real life. I hope that 2020 showed us a few things and brought things into perspective. The divide between us is wide, but it doesn't mean it's irreparable. We can fix it, but we must all take a step back forward. We could wrap up this horrendous storyline with a happier ending now or we might just end up with a sequel, which I know that nobody wants. Tomorrow morning will end one of the most tumultuous "reigns" in history and start anew, however, the storyline is not just determined by the lead character. Just like the villain in a movie must have those helping their cause, so must the hero. We play that supporting role, but it is a vital one if we want this to end with that happier ending. For some, there will be many wounds to heal and many voids to fill, but I hope that together, we can overcome and find the ending that we all are rooting for, the only difference is, we live in the setting of this movie. It's our time to shine, the question is, which way will we take this storyline?

~:[CH10 - Day 18]:~ In Simplicity We Trust

 
~:[CH10 - Day 18]:~ In Simplicity We Trust

It wasn't a fancy dinner, but I dressed it up to make it look better than it was. Sometimes, it its simplicity it can be just as good. Today was one of simplicity. From a quick pick up and chat, to a day of grading, drawing and design, it was a simple, yet enjoyable day. While I hope that I can enjoy more days like this, when these simple days become this amazing, you tend to enjoy them even more. No stress, no drama, just me and things I enjoyed doing. Isn't that simple? Obviously, life adds layers of drama to your life, but maybe we can figure out how to avoid those layers from weighing us down. Regardless, today I realized that in many cases, instead of trying to find something amazing, I should just focus on making the simply something amazing in itself, as it's in simplicity that we can trust.

~:[CH10 - Day 17]:~ Not Far

 
~:[CH10 - Day 17]:~ Not Far

I know it's challenging for my parents not to see their grandkids. To see them over a video call is far different from seeing them in person and even then, not being able to embrace them makes it even tougher. The struggles I see are what many are facing. Not being able to see loved ones and embrace them is one of the toughest things about this pandemic. It's definitely been taxing and is something we've all tried to come to terms with. In a way though, as we used to see amazing times at the coolest spots or travel to exotic locations, I think we began to see that the most precious times are not far from where we are. Today, I joked around with my parents as we watched football, basketball and ate dinner. It's been a blessing to be able to cook for them and spend time with them; things that would have been limited with my normal schedule. While the mounds of work pile up, even during a three day weekend, I also discovered that my outlet isn't far. Instead of jetting off, I stayed in the comforts of home and edited photos and messaged friends. My outlet was not far. Sure, it would be nice to take a drive or flight or to venture to those places I enjoyed previous, but what I think we realized is that in reality, the best moments of our lives have been ones not far from where we are. The love and embrace of friends and family, the comforts of home, food on the table, and simply the ability to take a breath. In some ways, it's been a challenge, but in others, it's been eye opening as I've discovered a lot more about myself in this process. As while we have been limited to the few places we can go and how few moments we are outside, let's enjoy all we have to the fullest, appreciating what we have not and what we will have down the road. The moment is not far from finally embracing those we love again and from doing all those things we have been unable to do, but for now, let's remind ourselves that not far from where we are, is a well of things that can bring us joy and satisfaction if we are willing to see it. 

~:[CH10 - Day 16]:~ The Warmth

 
~:[CH10 - Day 16]:~ The Warmth

In a normal year, there is a chance I would have a job in Tokyo this week, roaming around on my free time. Often times I see an oden cart outside my hotel. I've always wanted to sit there and eat. I should have when I had the chance. Regardless, it means, I have to learn. This is my third time making oden during the pandemic and each and every time, I learn something new. My dashi was better than last time, which makes the whole meal better. It was the perfect meal for a winter's day. It may have been hot outside, but since I don't go outside often, I don't know. It continues to feel like one extended break where I do some work from home. I am not sure I've been home this much collectively since college, but here I am, sheltering in my room away from the world. In some ways, I feel good and while it will be nice to interact, there is some warmth in being at home, cooking two homecooked meals a day and just relaxing with the family. As my mind swayed back and forth between home and day dreaming of Tokyo, I celebrated the victory of the Packers, joked around with my parents and planned out a few meetings over the next week. Who knows how much longer I will hunker down in my bunker, but for now, I guess I'll enjoy the fact that my schedule only requires me to open my laptop, turn on my two other screens and log into Zoom. 

~:[CH10 - Day 15]:~ Back-to-Back?

 ~:[CH10 - Day 15]:~ Back-to-Back?

Welcome to the Zoom party. It was the last regular class of the semester. We held our trial and wrapped it up with a victory for the defense. It is always fun to have this trial and while we need to speed things up moving forward, it was worth it to get these students a more interactive experience. We got some work to do, but overall they did a good job. It was a great way to end the semester as we start anew very soon. A day full of Zooms continued with my own personal class, then later on, we had orientation for our conference in Korea. The conference isn't until next week, but tonight (tomorrow there), they held a training for it. It was great to see a different setup and while my delegates attending were a little confused, I know it will be a great experience. It was a little tough to have back-to-back nights of MUN, but it also was nice to have some normalcy, as this is what my life is normally like. I've been productive, but I've never felt more like a blob sitting in the same seat most of the day. I hope that sooner rather than later, we can get back to a normal schedule, but for now, I'll keep logging into Zoom to see what awaits me on the other side. 

~:[CH10 - Day 14]:~ Somethings Never Change

 
~:[CH10 - Day 14]:~ Somethings Never Change

It was another busy day, but I guess some things never change. I am used to a busy schedule and nice to get back in the habit. From class in the morning, to some work in the afternoon, to class again, there was a lot on my plate. I cooked up dinner before heading into my Nationals Workshop. Yes, we were back at it. While the pandemic rages on, the Model UN world keeps on thriving. In 2021, we already attended a conference and we have ones in Korea and Vancouver upcoming in January as well. As usual, throughout the month, I will have meeting after meeting for Nationals. As my grading slows down, it may seem like I'm distracted when in reality, my attention has turned towards this process just as in any year. Sometimes somethings never change. It was great to be able to run a normal workshop. To see these students in action again was a proud moment for me and while they got some work to do to be prepared, they're headed in the right direction. I need to learn to be faster and figure things out, but ultimately, it's nice to still be able to do this. As we snapped our photo, I didn't realize it at the time, but I need to remember to take down their names so I don't have to photoshop it, but it was worth a quick edit (yes it is quite sloppy) to be able to capture this wonderful moment. As the clock reached 9pm, it felt strange, but nice to be able to truly put in a full day "at school." I wrapped up the night with homework, but it wasn't tedious at all because it was a day that I was overjoyed. With a month so busy with MUN, I would normally be bogged down, but for some reason, I couldn't be happier.

~:[CH10 - Day 13]:~ Hidden Gems

 
~:[CH10 - Day 13]:~ Hidden Gems

My parents were chatting and were like, we need ... and so I jumped up and headed out to pick it up real quick. It's strange times when you don't feel right heading outside. Every time I rush to my car as if it's the apocalypse and I have to avoid the zombies. I didn't see any luckily. What I did see though was a sky so beautiful I couldn't believe it was real. I pulled over and took a shot before it was gone as the timing of skies has to be just right. While I wish I was in JT or somewhere along the coast, I was just glad to be able to soak in such a beautiful sky after a long day of work. Meetings, grading, planning and coordinating; my daily routine has become quite full. As we talked about self-care and our own mental health in PD today, I thought about how I need to put down the to-do list and do what I want to do. I did that for an hour, but kept thinking, there's still some work to be done. I'll get there eventually, but regardless, in the madness of days, look around and find that hidden gem. Today's was in the sky, tomorrow's ... who knows? 

~:[CH10 - Day 12]:~ Light the Way

 
~:[CH10 - Day 12]:~ Light the Way

Days can be challenging. I know that the longer this progresses the tougher it gets. As while it does, there's hope on the horizon. The days tick by, but possibilities are slowly coming into view. As I graded papers, I wished that we could attend Nationals in person, but I knew that wasn't going to be the case. As I talked about though, the obstacle became an opportunity. We started to gain some ground finding international schools as I saw registrations roll in from France, Morocco, and Indonesia. It's wonderful to be able to connect with people around the world and excited that these opportunities are on the horizon. While our cross country season is in the balance, our theme, Light the Way is inspired with the idea that we can be the light for others, helping raise them up out of the darkness. The idea was themed off the youth mental health campaign of one of our alumni Jae Park of Day6 who raised $100,000 in his campaign for the JED Foundation. It was inspiring. Following in his footsteps, our CHTV program started a campaign, Find Your Light to provide an outlet for students to share and also create to help them through these troubling times. We all could use a light from time to time. Some days things will be extraordinary and others, we just may want to lay in bed. It's okay to give yourself that time. We all need that break and time to recover, but also push yourself to not make it recurring. Find ways to do things you enjoy doing and fill you with energy. For each of us, it will be something different or someone different, but that's the light we need to light our way. It's a time more than ever that we must reach out to others as we might just find that we don't just provide a light for them, but also for ourselves in the process. 

~:[CH10 - Day 11]:~ A Little Bit of Everything

 
~:[CH10 - Day 11]:~ A Little Bit of Everything

Pork Belly and Shiso tacos. These are my leftovers from yesterday and starting making the best combination for these. This might have been it. it definitely the spot in a day that had a bit of everything. From a very descriptive class to an entertaining one, a day of being productive, one where I connected with people around the world coordinating an MUN conference, and of course grading hundred of pages of position papers. From morning until super late at night, the day was full, but so was my heart. It's easy to complain about how busy a day can be, but then again, the fact that there is work to do makes me happy. The deliciousness of the meal was great, but the world gave me even more flavors than I could have ever imagined. With each successful topping, I added to this beautiful day that despite being busy was quite wonderful. While I know I want to find the time to relax, I feel good when you solve problems and check item after item off that to do list. I still have hundreds of pages of position papers to grade and loads of other things to do, but today, I got done more than I could have ever imagined and because of that, I can definitely smile. Leftovers, much like work, may not always be the most appealing, but it truly is what you make of it and today, the day was plated to perfection. 

~:[CH10 - Day 10]:~ Adjusting

~:[CH10 - Day 10]:~ Adjusting

It's strange how adjusting to a new setup can challenge you. It can make you or break you. If you try to rely on how you did things before, you'll end up breaking, but if you go with the flow and adapt, you find yourself ahead of the curve. Our students have definitely shown us that they can adapt to this new environment as many of them have been thriving at these conferences. Our students collected 11 gavels and about fifty awards in total today and while that is no sign of how well you did as a whole, the students were recognized across the board and those who were not, I thought did a pretty good job. I will have to wait until later this week to see the point sheets to see how they truly did, but ultimately I was proud of how they have adapted and adjusted to what is new and different. We all have to make these adjustments and while I know things could be better, I love how they are still thriving, showing all that they are capable of despite the odds. Let's show the world that we too are all capable and can make the most of these challenging times. Often times people say that I am a role model, but it is the students who have truly become the role models, inspiring me to keep adapting and adjusting to improve myself in a time where it may seem impossible to do. Go with the flow and let's show ourselves that we can make it! 

~:[CH10 - Day 9]:~ Behind the Screen

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~:[CH10 - Day 9]:~ Behind the Screen

I've always lived behind a computer screen. From editing to designing, I work countless hours behind a screen. However, when you're on the computer all day teaching virtually, the draw is so much less enticing. Regardless, I still enjoy watching my students perform so well in committee. They too face the same struggle of having to sit behind a screen for an extra day and a half behind a screen, yet they don't let it show and truly represent our school so well. While January is filled with conferences (three to be exactly), this will be the last of our regular advanced circuit. We already hosted four advanced conferences and a novice one and this month along we added a conference "in" Korea and Vancouver. While we miss out on the experience of exploring those areas, they still get to meet and interact with people from those areas. While many of us have to live our lives behind a screen, we might as well make the most of it and so far, we've continued to see this happen. It's never easy to tell how well they are really doing in committee, but from what I saw, I was impressed by their focus, even in this type of setting. I guess it's time to get away from this screen, because I need to rest my eyes for another day ahead.

~:[CH10 - Day 8]:~ By Design

 
~:[CH10 - Day 8]:~ By Design

Most who follow me know that I've been making a lot of ramen lately. It's been fun to have the time to experiment and try new things with the various flavors of Sapporo Ichiban. Using leftovers to make new ramen flavors and also trying new ones from scratch have shown me that there are endless possibilities. The phrase "don't knock it until you try it," applies here as many of the combinations I made, I may never have thought of before. As these days of virtual teaching are trying, it's nice to have something else to distract you from all that is going on around and for me, this has been one of them. I took my bulgogi ramen photo and made it into a design and won, yes, even more Sapporo Ichiban. Life has a strange way of presenting opportunities, but I hope that each of us can find opportunities in this darkness thrust upon us. It's not easy to adapt to such drastic change, but when we do, we just might find we're better because of it. For me, my stomach will mostly agree with me. 

~:[CH10 - Day 7]:~ Hear Me Roar

 
~:[CH10 - Day 7]:~ Hear Me Roar

You can go through life without making a sound. You can fly under the radar, work every day, and try to not make any waves. You can also test your limits and truly see how loud you can roar. It was cute to see Jordan in his mask and even to hear him road today, but it reminded me of something, that we need to hear ourselves roar. We don't have to be someone who is in your face. We can be an introvert, yet still roar louder than anyone around. Life is full of people who are showoffs and will do anything for attention even when they haven't done the work. Sadly, they often get the most attention, while those who are grinding away behind the scenes stay in the shadows. Work hard, but also don't be afraid to step out of those shadows and be proud of the work you produce. Don't be afraid to try something new, to test out how far your talents can get you and simply display to the world who you are and how YOU want them to see you. Don't fall into the mold of what others want, but be yourself and make the type of noise you want to make. When we hear the word roar, we often think of this loud and intimidating beast scaring off those who are inferior. Instead, think of the roar as your voice, whether silent or loud, be sure it's authentically you. Hear yourself roar, but do it in a way that will make  you proud. Show yourself off to the world, but do it in the way you're most comfortable. It's time to hear you roar.

~:[CH10 - Day 6]:~ Disbelief

 
~:[CH10 - Day 6]:~ Disbelief

I was definitely in disbelief. As I saw the protesters, I thought, they're just making noise, Those protests turned into much more than that. As they stormed the capital, they destroyed, harassed, trespassed and more. Even worse, it was in one of the most sacred places in our country on a day that was a symbol of our democracy. I hope that no matter where your political ideologies lie, you agree this is not okay. Riots and terrorism are not okay anywhere, but this definitely left me in disbelief. To see people defend their actions was ridiculous and to see our president fail to condemn their actions was even worse. Regardless, it did not stop them from working into the early hours of the morning to finish what they started. While a Pennsylvania objected delayed the process a bit with a few more objections failing due to the change of heart after what had happened, they were able to get to the finish line. Democracy prevailed. While there were many figures that I despised (and by no means should we forget what they had done), I was glad that even at the very end, some of these officials stood up for democracy. As while there will be a bumpy road ahead, maybe this event was the wakeup call that these officials needed to see how far we allowed this to go. This did not happen because of one event, rather, the enabling and continued rhetoric that led to this catastrophic day. Sadly, four people probably would not have lost their lives and many not have suffered the fate of Covid that I know will be coming the way of many of the maskless protestors. I sat there in disbelief, but at least I saw a small glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this can be the spark that starts the process of healing the divide and moving forward. I do agree that we can't simply forget all that's been done, but at the same time, we cannot allow ourselves to get stuck where we are by continuing to bicker in a way that only leads to diminishing returns. I never thought I'd see this in my lifetime, but that can be said for many things over the past ten months. Let's heal, let's grow and let's start building bridges. I don't expect all to be forgiven, but that doesn't mean we can't find a way to solve the mountain of problems that await us moving forward.

~:[CH10 - Day 5]:~ If ...

 
~:[CH10 - Day 5]:~ If ...

As the clock was about the strike midnight, one race was called while the other looked good, but still up in the air. It made me think of something I thought of back in November. We live in a country so divide and seeing so many things that left divides so deep between people that they seem almost irreparable, all this while we are in the middle of this pandemic. We see health care workers being pushed to the limits while people protest maskless harassing those who follow the rules within the store. It's definitely not the best of situations, but it's not something just isolated to our country. Around the world, people are being asked to mask and other countries are enforcing a lockdown. Regardless, tonight's election became consequential. Last week showed why it was so important. While you may not agree that $2,000 stimulus checks are the answer, the fact that McConnell didn't even allow it to come to the floor, much like he blocked so many things or pushed so many thing through that shouldn't have, showed he wasn't legislating on the behalf of the people, rather simply blocking the process of governing. The bill for the $2,000 checks may have failed in the Senate, but we will never know and the fruitful debates and discussion never came to fruition. If the Democrats take power, they will arrive at a fork in the road and this is my warning. As a government, it is important to represent all people and to truly give the country what we need and not what you, as a party want. You will face the challenge of making the right choices for all people, but if you choose to make decisions on behalf of your party and your party alone, you are no better than the government we see today. While we may one day be able to implement all these idealistic plans and push whatever ideas through government, by doing so, you're not helping yourself, but hurting the country and your party in the process. In two years, another election will occur (midterms) and two years after that another election. The decision you make will be judged and the entire population of this country will hope to see a government that works on behalf of the country and not simply your ideals. Push to get everything you want through government when you're in control will lead to a short-lived power, however, working together and cooperating may lead to greater power and greater strength. A great leader doesn't command all and posses all as King Louis XIV thought, rather a great leader works with others and does what is in the best interest of those around. This thought may not satisfy all you wanted from your elected leaders, but understand that what you want may not be what this country needs. Instead of demanding everything, think with an open mind and focus on those things that are most important now. Why? If you want those more idealistic and drastic changes to happen, you're not going to do it overnight. Many celebrated the end to 2020, but many have seen that the stroke of midnight did nothing to quell the issues of the year. In fact, the pandemic has gotten worse as there is still a lot for us to do to get this under control. It will take all of us sacrificing our conveniences and slowly we will making the progress we are seeking. The faster we try to fix the issue, the worse we actually make the problem (which we saw at the beginning of the pandemic). Similarly, the Democrats must realize that they must sacrifice some of the things they want, so we can the country what it needs. I know it's not something many want to hear, but honestly, it's the truth. As a party, it will be easy to be upset of what has occurred and try to push back against what was faced the last few years, but that will only deepen the divide and make bridging the gap impossible. Instead, extend an olive leaf, be firm in what needs to be done, but also be open to compromise. There's a lot of fixing that needs to be done, but instead of trying to first empty the water from a sinking ship, let's patch the hole first so it makes everything else easier. If this elections plays out in the Democrats favor, understand where you are and share the power you worked so hard to attain, because that only means it will strengthen the country and in turn, your party in the long run. 

~:[CH10 - Day 4]:~ Wake Up Call

 
~:[CH10 - Day 4]:~ Wake Up Call

I didn't sleep well last night. I probably was used to sleeping later than I did and that's why I just rolled around for a bit. Eventually I fell asleep and woke up pretty easily (amazingly). However, it was a wake up call. We were back in school. Back in the habit of work. I had to turn my alarms back on, sadly. There are still enjoyable moments ahead, just not as much free time than I had before, at the same time, I probably will find myself a lot more productive. As I rolled through the day, the periods went quickly and it was nice to see the students once again. I love to hear the stories as we come back, but also am sad to hear when some have disappoints or losses over the break. When the day ended, my day did not, as I had Japanese class, then cooked up the extra drumsticks I had leftover from the chicken pho the day before. I ended up making an Asian BBQ flavored chicken. The sauce came out pretty good. I should have used the oven, but I was too lazy and just cooked it stove top. As I worked through the night, I thought I would fall asleep early, but somehow, I am still awake. With so much uncertainty in this world, there are going to be so many ups and downs, but for now, let's appreciate that we have that wake up call in the morning and can enjoy our day. Many will not have that opportunity and we should be grateful for all the wonderful minutes we spend on this earth. It's easy to waste time complaining, but why waste those moments, when there are so many other things to to appreciate. 

~:[CH10 - Day 3]:~ A Grand Farewell

 
~:[CH10 - Day 3]:~ A Grand Farewell

The second ticked by, with each of them signifying the final seconds before break ended. The last few weeks have been wonderful in a sense that while I did a little bit of work, I was able to focus and on taking care of a few personal items I had yet to get to. Of course doing all that early on meant that this weekend would be one filled with catching up and catching up I did. I was able to finish almost all of the assignments I wanted to grade and will wrap up all of them by Tuesday including late work. I was satisfied with what I accomplished, but still yet, there is a lot of work to do. I still snuck in my normally shopping and boba pickup, had a quick drive-by birthday and whipped up a pot of chicken pho which took most of the day. I exchanged a few things throughout the day and even saw (from a distance) a few people I had not seen for awhile. Regardless, it was definitely a grand farewell to this much needed break as I head into one of the busiest months of the year. With a list of things still on the agenda, there won't be as much time to rest as I hoped, but still, at least I will feel recharged enough to go full steam ahead. Wish me luck!

~:[CH10 - Day 2]:~ Finding Reality

 
~:[CH10 - Day 2]:~ Finding Reality

We live in a pretty toxic period of time. I feel like we are constantly being judged and the pressures of such make it so that we can't be ourselves. People are so worried about what others are doing that they forget about their own actions. We get caught up in such negativity and attacking the opposite point of view, that we forget all that is beautiful and all that we are able to enjoy. Today there was nothing that most would consider "extraordinary," but that's exactly why it was the case. From chatting the morning away with a friend to simply checking off things on my to do list, it was a fabulous day. Our Facetime today was entertaining and my parents also had some laughable moments today. There is a lot wrong with the world today, but it doesn't mean we have to make it worse. Find the right words to say if any, be less judgmental of others so they can also be less anxious and at every opportunity, look towards reaching out and helping those around you. We often dream of this world that is better than our reality, but the truth is, in our imagination is where we can truly find our reality. Why can't we make what we imagine a reality in itself. As I wrapped up making this edit, I could only thing, how awesome of a scene this would be, but even though I may not see it in real life, now it's a reality for all of you to see. From 2020 to 2021 there is no change, but if we want to start to see the change we're hoping for, let's work for it and help each other instead of bringing each other down. The pandemic made 2020 tough, but society made it tougher. Let's cleanse ourselves as we enter this new year knowing all too well that we can this year better by doing our part and in that, we will find our dreams in our reality. 

~:[CH10 - Day 1]:~ Reset

~:[CH10 - Day 1]:~ Reset

Welcome to chapter 10! I can't believe how many blog posts I have completed and I grateful for all those who follow along. As while this blog was originally created as a way to wind down, it's also been a way for me to share my thoughts with a community of people. I never really thought anyone read along, but when I meet people, they mention a post here or there and it inspires me to keep going. As we entered 2021, there isn't much that has changed. Every new year, people are optimistic for what's ahead and push forward hoping for change. I know many of are hoping for a drastic change, but the reality of it all is that it will be a gradual one. Like any resolution we make, our changes will not happen instantaneously, which is why many fall astray on the path towards following those resolutions. Personally, I have never been one to make a resolution because I always thought that there is no date for me to renew myself. It has to be a process and I have to personally be responsible when I don't achieve that. No matter our resolution, I hope that we all can do that, take responsibility. The blame game often takes place when things go wrong, but maybe if we look internally at what we can do to change, we will find at least part of the answer to help solve this riddle of life. By days ahead, I had a long list of things I had accomplished, but none greater that simply spending time with my parents. As while we may eventually recover from this pandemic down the road and slowly gain some normalcy, in the process I will still be losing something, the quality time that I've had at home. As while I know many of us are eager to get out, remember to treasure those things that are most important to you. Today is the first day of the new year and the beginning of a new chapter, but just remember that life doesn't have a reset button, rather it has a step latter that allows you to slowly climb one step at a time. Together let's take these step forward and help each other along the way.