~:[CH12 - Day 181]:~ A Change of Scenery

 

~:[CH12 - Day 181]:~ A Change of Scenery 

Well I guess Ueno's Ameyoko provides a similar vibe, however, it was fun hanging out near Euljiro with my friend. We've made it a tradition to hang out when I'm around and I was glad to spend some time catching up. It was quite busy, probably because it was clear out after it's been raining here. I missed the rain so it was nice to enjoy this Friday night. It was great changing it up a bit as I was able to start brushing up on my Korean that I haven't used as much lately. It definitely has a different vibe and while I tend to lean towards the vibe in Japan, it's always nice to have a change in scenery. Even if something is your #1, venturing off to explore a new spot often gives you an experience to remember. We chatted away as I mentioned that this was the spot I saw in a drama I just finished (Interest of Love) and we talked about future plans, as we were surrounded with a lively environment, food in our bellies, and great memories stored in our hearts. 

~:[CH12 - Day 180]:~ When a Miss is a Hit

~:[CH12 - Day 180]:~ When a Miss is a Hit

It was hot today. I was dying walking around as I waited for my friend to do round 2 at the Warner Bros Harry Potter Tour. It was less crowded so I was able to do more than I was able to the first round without any interruptions. My friend walked pretty fast through the exhibit which worked better since I had already been. Fast still means we took almost three hours on the tour. On the way back, I had to drop off something on the east side of Tokyo (I was on the far west). Although far, it was nice to see everything along the route I might not have seen before. I ended at a transfer that I had to know for tomorrow to get to Narita, so it worked out nicely as a trial run. I finally arrived at the drop off point which was decked out. I love it when their stations and/or train is decked out and I got lucky with this one. Looking around, I didn't realize that I missed the train, as I ran up and just barely missed it. It worked out though as I got a few more train shots of them going back and forth across the bridge. I canceled my plans since our schedules didn't quite work out and I ended up grabbing Tim Horton's so I could go back and pack. While I don't have to take much, I had to be selective as I was only allowed 7kg. It's a small amount with someone who travels a little heavy. Regardless, I think I cut it down correctly and created a plan in case I didn't. I was sad that my plans were canceled tonight, but just like missing the train, there was still some benefits. Sometimes when things don't go as planned, it doesn't mean it still can't work out. Find a new pathway or look for something you weren't planning on and you might just find why you were fated to be where you are, whether a missed train or canceled plans, it still has the potential to be a hit.

~:[CH12 - Day 179]:~ 1 in 20

 

~:[CH12 - Day 179]:~ 1 in 20

I had no particular  draw towards this Pokemon. I saw that it could by shiny and since it was raid hoir, I joined it. In Tokyo, it's pretty easy to find a raid that is active. The new layout makes it easier to find one quickly. Luckily, I caught a shiny. Thr base shiny catch rate is 1 in 500, but when raiding for legendaries, it's 1 in 20. Sometimes I've done 40 raids without a shiny, but this time, it was on my first of the night. Knowing your odds the first step in giving yourself the best shot. Researching, knowing if it's even possible, and then strategizing all help you get there. The easier route could be grinding and catching hundreds of Pokemon, while others mah see their odds boosted finding people to raid with and ultimately getting those 1 in 20 odds upon a win. There's no one way that's best and everyone's goal for catching a shiny will be different. In life, it's the same. We all have different goals and the odds of achieving them are different, however, for each of us, we can research and plan, giving us the best opportunity to find that shiny in our life. Some of us will see quantity over quality, others will stay focused on a single one, but for all of us, we'll all feel a little exhilaration when we get that catch. "May the odds ever be in your favour."

~:[CH12 - Day 178]:~ Spellbound

 
~:[CH12 - Day 178]:~ Spellbound

I heard rumblings of the creation of this tour. I had previously visited the cafe and surrounding areas and they similarly decked out the area around the Warner Brother Studio Harry Potter Tour. I really didn't know what to expect. I thought it would be a few exhibits and a few interactive areas, but wasn't prepared for what it entailed. Simply from the gift shop, I knew I was in for a great experience. It made me think, I should have been geared up in my Hufflepuff attire. After browsing through the gift shop, we ventured through the exhibit. They warned that it is a large exhibit and could take up to four hours to get through. I thought it was exaggerated, but I ended up exiting over four hours later. If you're a Harry Potter fan or into the cinematic element that built this movie, you'll definitely be a fan an in awe. Not only do you feel like you're walking through the movie, there are a number of interactive areas including an opportunity to ride a broom or be part of the infamous Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Learning about how they created the feel of the shots in the movie including the score, costume and visual effects was amazing. My day itself was dedicated to this so I truly soaked it all in and took my time as I made it through the exhibits. It definitely commanded a lot of attention, but every ounce of attention I gave was worth the experience itself. I walked out so impressed and spellbound by the experience. After wandering around a bit, I ended up heading back. I was suppose to meet my friends later that night, but exhausted from the day, I woke up way past the time we were supposed to meet. Maybe it was the magic from the exhibit, but I am glad that I was able to have this experience before I left, as it definitely was truly magically.

~:[CH12 - Day 177]:~ Pika Pika

 
~:[CH12 - Day 177]:~ Pika Pika

The land of Pokemon. I became the most invested in Pokemon when PoGo came out. I was not as a big fan of it as most, not because I didn't like it, but nothing in particular dragged me in deep. It was fun adventuring around with friends playing and it also allowed me to travel around searching areas I had never been. At one point, I had caught all of the Pokemon they had released on PoGo, a feat that won't be repeated again. When I saw the Pikachu afternoon tea. I thought it would be a fun event to attend. It was definitely fun to see how they incorporated it into their setup, although the food wasn't quite what I expected. I didn't look too closely at the menu, as I was more excited to be able to get a reservation, thus, I wasn't prepared for the sugar rush. I do eat desserts and sweet drinks, but this definitely was overload and when they asked if I was ready for dessert, I was baffled thinking that it was all dessert (or mostly). While it may not be something I will rave about, there was no regret for attending. I thought the experience was worth it and while I won't be looking for another slot to attend, I did appreciate immersing myself in something Pokemon related while I am here. I later shared with experienced with my friends after my evening shoot as we laughed about how I struggled through the sitting. Strangely enough, we incorporated a Pikachu into today's shoot as a joke that extended from the afternoon tea earlier in the day. Regardless, these are the type of experiences you remember. As while you hope joyous and fabulous moments fill your days, on your journey of catching them all, you'll definitely find a few moments that will not be highlighted when you look back, at least for the reasons why the others have been. 

~:[CH12 - Day 176]:~ Time to Spare

 
~:[CH12 - Day 176]:~ Time to Spare

I originally saw that my schedule would have a bit of a gap. I met my friend in the morning for a meal, then was going to head to a small launch event later that night. I signed up for a little bowling competition in between. I knew it wasn't going to be serious competition, but I knew it would be a place that I could get a little feel of that competitive aspect. I started off with an open frame and others looked pretty solid from the start. There were only a handful who looked like they were solid bowlers, but most were out there just to have fun. I ended up not having an open frame until my last game in the 10th frame. I opened with a 206 and closed with a 199. Sadly, I would have had two games over 200, but still, it was fun enjoying the afternoon. At the event afterward, it was nice to also chat with those around who were all local. It was a little difficult since they spoke Japanese, but they still included me in the conversation. I finally found one person who at the event who was fairly comfortable chatting with me in English which eased my mind just a little bit. As I ventured back, I wanted to stop off and pick up a magazine that had been released. For some reason, that was the exact time they decided to hold the car inspections and thus I had to reroute here and there to finally make it to the destination. In the end, I got the magazine and I also walked home with my prize, a fun keepsake to remind me of the fun times with this group of people. I am not sure if I will get to meet them again in the future, but it definitely was a good way to spend the time I had to spare. 

~:[CH12 - Day 175]:~ Junya Watanabe

 
~:[CH12 - Day 175]:~ Junya Watanabe

A lot of people talked to me when Kanye released his song with Junya Watanabe. It was funny to hear my name in a song, even though I realized that it is a common last name. It reminded me the time when I realized my name was in Norwegian Wood. In any case, today, I got to meet Junya Watanabe, of course, it wasn't THE Junya Watanabe. There is a photographer from Japan with the same name and he shoots awesome reflection photos. He's been the inspiration behind a lot of the rain shots we've been aiming at. He didn't have any photos of himself, so it was challenging to know who he was. All my guesses were wrong. I thought all his photos were in this cafe, but I wandered around and stumbled into a studio were most of the pieces were displayed. He chatted with me and even offered me a photo as a keepsake. As an artist, I refused to take it for free. As a photographer, I'll shoot school events for free and do things here and there, but the reality is, when people ask for things for free, I feel the pain of other artists. For one, simply the time is something that should be considered, but especially for photographers, there is a life on a camera and each set of photos you take subtracts from the lifespan of the camera. Each and every shutter clip subtracts one more photo. I've been asked a few times since I've been here just to do that and with a few exceptions, I respectfully decline. Similarly, I declined the free photo knowing the costs of even the print itself along with the time to capture it, and decided to purchase one. I carried it and kept glancing as it, as it inspired me to work hard over the next few days during the final legs of this project. It was a nice break between a brunch with an alum and two meetings later that day and really helped me push through until it was finally time to hang out with my friend for her birthday. It was a nice gathering as it was just super chill with some drinks, snacks and just a good vibe. In the end, I survived the marathon day, ended with a celebration and in my hand is a photograph from Junya Watanabe. I may not have met THE Junya Watanabe from Kanye's song, but I met the Junya Watanabe that mattered to me as I wrap up this photo project and personal adventure, looking for some new inspiration. Whether the person who inspires you is more or less famous than others in life, know that their value lies not in their popularity, but how close in relevance they are to you in the things that you do. Who is THE Junya Watanabe in your life? 

~:[CH12 - Day 174]:~ Life's Cycle

 
~:[CH12 - Day 174]:~ Life's Cycle

Today was laundry day! It's obviously too much to pack a set of clothes for the entire trip, so I plan on doing it halfway through. I should actually do it twice (every third of the trip), but I'll let that be decided next time. I could have set it and then left, but decided to stay and do my work there. I watched the laundry toss from time to time as the blue UN polo matched the color of the washer. I wish I took a better photo, but looking back, it would have been awkward to have a photoshoot in the store. As it cycled, it made me think of our daily routines. Everyday in our lives is a cycle. Each day is a rotation and with each rotation, our clothes never fall back the same way. Sometimes we have the perfect day and we wish that we could just repeat that day each and every day, but the reality is, it will not replicate. If you took a picture of each rotation and analyzed it, there would not be a similar photo, just like a snapshot of our day will not come without its variables. Change is inevitable and while we may live our lives similarly from day to day, just like the wash, the stages of the wash will change. Once it starts, its different stages will move at different paces, various elements will be introduced until finally, the cycle slows down when it reaches its end. Our cycles of life are limited and at some point our life's buzzer will sound. If we had the chance when we finally passed to look back and see all that was part of our daily cycle, I hope that when we sort through everything, we'll find such a variety of memories we were glad that were part of our lives. While we may not see how those things helped display variety in our lives, I'm sure that others watching our daily cycle noticed the colors these things added to us. May our cycles of life be many. 

~:[CH12 - Day 173]:~ The Back Story

 
~:[CH12 - Day 173]:~ The Back Story

Often times when we see a photo, a video or read about a story, we can be amazed or inspired. We look at it or we read it, knowing how incredible it was. However, do we often think about the process behind the scenes? As a photographer and even a teacher, I think that most of the process is unseen. I think in every field and ever facet of life, that's also true. We met up and grabbed a bite to eat knowing the grueling night we had ahead of us. Unlike others, we plan our shoots when it rains, rather than when it's not. It leaves us struggle by night's end, but sometimes it's worth it in the end. As we wandered, the rain came down, leaving us a little soaked, but we kept moving around, scouting for the shot when the time came. We found a few spots to hit up. The clouds were being troublesome so we ventured off to another spot and got some shots. We tried to produce a few shots, found some strange angles, all the while added water to the weight of all the other equipment on our shoulders, yes, the rain continued and we continued to get soaked. I'm really not sure what I got, as I haven't had the chance to closely go through my reel, however, just knowing the process we went through makes the evening memorable. I think with each image comes a story that others will not see and when I'm old and gray, I'll be able to share these memories, albeit with a few things added or missing from the story, probably due my forgetfulness over time. For all of us, we have those stories that ultimately led to a moment we were praised for, recognized for or helped us reach our goals and I know for each of us, that story is more special sometimes than than the end result. As we look at the end result of others, know that the struggles you faced were similar to what they faced as well, whether it's your next door neighbor or a well-known celebrity. Yes, sometimes people have advantages in life, but in my eyes, we all do face the same struggles as we try to reach the place we hope to be. Tonight, just seeing the clouds surround the beautiful Skytree tower was actually better than any image I was going to produce on this night. The clouds moved swiftly, causing dramatic shifts in the potential shot we were trying to get, however, that challenge also added to this wonderful rain-filled evening. When I got back, I had to unpack everything from my backpack to allow it all to try and that too will be something I'll try not to forget when I'm old and gray.

~:[CH12 - Day 172]:~ Walking By ...

 
~:[CH12 - Day 172]:~ Walking By ...

I had planned to head out to Mt. Fuji on one of my days off, but I forgot to set my alarm and thought I woke up much too late. I routed the trip and realized that if I could be out the door and at the station in an hour, I'd make it. By 8:20am, I made it for the 8:30am train, just barely. In my rush to get the ticket, I had trouble figuring out how to use my pass for this particular train. One of the station attendants kindly helped me and I got into my seat. I thought my ticket took me clear to my stop as my route said remain on board, but I was wrong. It resulted in an hour delay as I rerouted back to my stop. It actually worked out as the clouds that covered the mountain peak cleared away and I got to see the mountain from this angle. It reminded me of the day when I climbed that mountain way back when. It was quite the adventure and I hope that I'll be able to do it once more. On my way back towards the station, I walked by a small little neighborhood and couldn't help but notice the views they had from their doorsteps. The view they'd see every single day in the morning, in good weather and bad, and it made me think. So many people travel from far and wide to see this view, but they see it every day. Something considered a must see view and something so amazing, would you take it for granted if it was on your doorstep? Similarly, we are surrounded by things so amazing. We often seek out amazing things that are beyond that others talk about, but we often fail to see the things that are truly amazing simply because they are there everyday. I hope that on our journey of life, we realize this and appreciate the things so spectacular that are within an arms reach. Lost in my thoughts, I passed my turn. Thinking I could navigate around, I hit a dead end and found myself racing against the clock to make the train. I had a few minutes to spare, boarded the train and enjoy the sights as I headed back to Tokyo. I. dozed off a bit on the ride home as I imagined myself back at home for a bit. Today made me miss home a bit, as even more so today, I realized all that is amazing that lies from the view of my very. own doorstep. 

~:[CH12 - Day 171]:~ Symmetry

 

~:[CH12 - Day 171]:~ Symmetry

Life is about balance. While we want to have good times every day, it's not a reality. We can find good in every day, but we need to be prepared for everything trying to take us down. We need to find a way to balance out the storms that are incoming. This is the case in many things in life. Instead of our symmetry reflecting exactly the same on either halves, finding a balance between the two while demonstrating variation would make the image of our lives so much more dramatic. Balancing work and play, family/friends and yourself, adventure and tranquility and even the days full of challenges and those that are smooth sailing. As we rise up to show ourselves off to this world, I hope we are able to show all of ourselves, as that is truly way to find symmetry in our lives.

~:[CH12 - Day 170]:~ Worth the Wait?

 
~:[CH12 - Day 170]:~ Worth the Wait?

I headed back to Tokyo and relaxed a bit. I left a little later than planned so I didn't do much when I arrived. I got unpacked, organized things and then headed out to dinner. I was meeting my friends later that night, so I had to rush. I thought I had plenty of time, but forgot how popular this place was. When seeing the line, I thought, hey, no problem! Of course, I had to get a QR code and when I scanned it, it said 120 minutes. The reality is, I didn't really wait. My hotel was across the street so I walked back, did some work and then headed back when it was time. Regardless, if I had to stand out there and wait that long, I wonder if it's truly worth the wait. Sometimes we put ourselves in a situation where we allow ourselves to wait too long before we finally move on. Sometimes we wait and realize it wasn't quite worth it. Occasionally, we are left satisfied after the long wait knowing why everyone was waiting. I saw some people leave and go to another restaurant while some waited it out. In life, it's just like that, people will wait for one thing and not for another. Sometimes you choose to wait for something else because you're not willing to wait only to find it took just as long. No matter what the situation, I hope that we all can analyze the value of something and understand that our time is money and that each minute we spending waiting for something, we're costing ourselves resources and only we know if it is worth it for us. Don't just wait because others are, but make YOUR choice so that you can use your resources efficiently, especially the most precious one that is time. 

~:[CH12 - Day 169]:~ The Path of Life

 
~:[CH12 - Day 169]:~ The Path of Life

I had an interesting conversation about religions while I was here. As we discussed religion, the topic of, "why do you need to go to church" came up. While the language barrier provided some challenges, the main point of the discussion was the idea that how you act and what you do on a daily basis truly shows your faith. While there are many ways to display your faith, if you show yourself off or label yourself as someone of faith, but don't act accordingly, you may not be walking on the right path. This world is full of opportunities to go off track and there are also opportunities to get back on track as well. As we headed up the cable car to get to Hozan-ji. the cable car was designed as a cute dog. Interesting enough, the final destination of the cable car was an amusement park, while the first stop was a temple. I think no matter what religion your practice, this layout signified a situation many of us face in life. Do we proceed towards a play of enjoyment immediately and in the process leave our faith behind? Do our goals have priority over our faith? It is possible to keep a balance between both, however, it requires us to make sure we focus and keep ourselves on that path that travels to both the fulfillment of our faith and our own personal goals. It requires us to have a conscious effort to maintain our faith and ensure that our actions match what we study and preach. As while it's easy to allow our ambitions overtake our journey, we must remember to maintain the foundation of who we are and not lose ourselves for the sake of accomplishment. Regardless, no matter what religion we practice or if we don't practice one at all, let's aim to be people who better this world, treat others with respect, and instead of stepping on others to ascend this stairway of life, hold their hands and lift others up so you can ultimately reach that peak to enjoy the view together. 

~:[CH12 - Day 168]:~ Where It Started

 
~:[CH12 - Day 168]:~ Where It Started

I ventured to another school site today. Just about a year ago, I went to introduce Model UN to their staff. They worked hard to learn about it, gathered a few students to start up the program and will be attending their first conference in a few weeks. It was cool to meet the students who will be representing their school for the first time. I thought about how difficult this process must have been for them and their teachers as learning from scratch is quite the challenge. It made me wonder what it was like when MUN first started at Cerritos or how anything was like at the beginning. The process always will have forks in the road where we must decide which direction to proceed. Every decision impacts the next and ultimately that decides how our programs and even our lives develop. It's always impressive to think of those at the start who started the process and did so with little to no guidance. While I hope that my one day of assistance can help, most of this process will lie in the hands of these amazing students and teachers and I am looking forward to their progress as they move forward. Like everything, it will be a little challenging at the start, but once they get things off the ground, I know that they'll give themselves the opportunity to soar. Sending out the appreciation to all the groundbreakers as I know just how hard the process must have been, yet you keep persevering to arrive where you are today or where you will be in the future.

~:[CH12 - Day 167]:~ The Lasting Pain of Mistakes

 
~:[CH12 - Day 167]:~ The Lasting Pain of Mistakes

I stayed in my room as long as possible to rest. I had time to venture out, but thinking about how I could get around with my luggage pained me a bit. I decided on a spot where I could leave my bag and then ventured out to Shinsekai. It was fun to walk around the area, although it's a little better later at night. The sun was beating down, but it didn't bother me much as I enjoyed the sites of the area. Osaka has an older school vibe, which is kind of nice. It feels like people are more laid back and relaxed. The Shinsekai area is very flashy as restaurants try to draw you in. I actually didn't want to eat in the area as I figured the food would probably be better elsewhere, but I finally wandered into a spot. It was probably my first mistake for food choices in a week, which I guess is pretty good percentage, but definitely would have preferred not to have a mistake at all. I guess it created a trend as when I finally headed toward the school I was teaching at for the day, I forgot to leave my bag at the station. I was already halfway so I decided to keep going hoping to find a spot to leave my bag on the way. I did not. I sat under a bench to finish off some work I needed to do and then walked to the school site. I passed the gate I should have walked into thinking I could not access it through that gate, but I was wrong as it was the correct gate. I ended up walking 10 minutes more under the hot sun in humid weather to another gate that led to the same spot. Sweat was protruding from every pore and my body was a little sore. (I'm a poet and didn't even know it!) I couldn't find the elevator so I walked four flights of stairs and finally arrived to the classroom dripping in sweat. I washed up real quick and changed and that changed the direction of the rest of the day. I enjoyed working with these students as they had good energy and while they started a little timid, they grew more and more energetic and I hope by class end, they learned a little they can use for their conference. They asked questions at the end, which was nice and energetically shouted at me when I left. I think the picture sums up their energy and personalities. As though the pain of the day may have lasted as my body ached when I finally arrived at my final destination for the night, the lasting pain of the mistakes I made will become a moment to laugh and also remind me of this wonderful class of students who were the Salonpas to my day, helping relieve the pain from earlier in the day. As though we may face moments that create pain in our lives, I hope we never give up, knowing that there will be a moment that will come help relieve the pain we are facing.

~:[CH12 - Day 166]:~ Where We're Headed

 
~:[CH12 - Day 166]:~ Where We're Headed

I took a train last night to Arashiyama. It was a bit exhausting to go from USJ to Arashiyama, but worth it. The trains don't run too early and in order to truly enjoy this area, it's best to get there early, I took an early morning walk at 5am to enjoy the empty forest. It isn't always empty as people slowly started to trickle in, but still, I did my best to enjoy as much of it as I could before they arrived. While the lighting isn't as good, I realized it was a good choice as the crowds after 10am were quite ridiculous. I do miss the days were only a handful of people were allowed in, but I'm sure the businesses appreciate the crowds; the locals, maybe not so much so. Throughout the day, as I made my way to Arashiyama and Osaka, I was reminded about how technology has been such a benefit and hindrance to us. I bumped into and had to avoid a few people who didn't even look up and I noticed the lack of interaction among people as their attention were turned down. It was while people were wandering through the forest or in sights of such beauty that they finally peered up and saw what they were missing. Social media also has made some of these "hidden gems" not so hidden anymore. In someways, it's great that you can find some of these places, whereas it troublesome when the crowds are too big so you can't truly enjoy it. I guess it's all about balance. I have to keep myself in check as well. How do you ensure you keep yourself on pace without allowing it to overwhelm us. I think with the emergence of IA, we will face the question of, how much technology is too much. Regardless, I hope that instead of looking at what our screens can show us, we can head in the direction that we can see what the world can show us. I ended the night down in the Hommachi area, walked over to Dotonbori navigating the crowds, then enjoy the rest of the evening relaxing and prepping for tomorrow's presentations. I sent messages to my friends, realizing how technology has been good in helping us progress and stay connected, but I'll always have to remind myself to look up and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us on our pathway of life.

~:[CH12 - Day 165]:~ It's Okay to Dream

 

~:[CH12 - Day 165]:~ It's Okay to Dream

My friend and I ventured out for a trip to Osaka to check out USJ. I've already been, but last year all the things I had purchased from here were stolen when I mailed them back home (in the US). I figured, it would be worth it to head out there and enjoy the park. It was much more crowded than it was when I went last when few tourists were allowed in the country. I was a little sad about it, but still soaked it all in. As I thought about Hogwarts and all the "imaginary" spots around the park, it reminded me of the fact that while this is all imaginary, isn't okay to live in this fantasy, at least temporarily. We tell the children to dream of where they want to go or who they want to be, but as we journey through adulthood, sometimes the wear and tear of life can make us forget that we are still allowed to dream. Even in our ripe, old age, we have a right to dream of things we want to do, places we want to go, or things we want to accomplish. For each of us, this dream is different, but for all of us, that right is the same, it's okay to dream. We have responsibilities, but one of those responsibilities is to care for ourselves and ensure that we don't forget to allow ourselves to give ourselves the opportunities to achieve something we have hoped for. While flying on a broomstick may be a little farfetched, I know there are a lot of things we hid away in our closets as time has past and I hope you open up that closet, dust off those dreams and give at least one of them a shot. 

~:[CH12 - Day 164]:~ Finding the Right Spot

 
~:[CH12 - Day 164]:~ Finding the Right Spot

I ventured out to visit my friend during lunch. I always enjoy spending time with her dog Pua and just relaxing at the cafe. Luckily when I've gone it hasn't been too crowded, so I could just take my time and chat plus take photos of the dog. I bought Pua a banana bed awhile back and finally got it delivered. It was a little small, but Pua seemed to enjoy it. It was funny because Pua wouldn't going all the way in, rather laying half way in and awkwardly lying on the bench while her feet were in the banana. It made me think of all people and how we ended up in the spot we're in right now? How did we settle where we live or get the job that we have? What will change that will have us relocate or find a new direction in life. I think we're all searching for that right spot and it take some maneuvering in order to find it. I am not sure if Pua ever found that spot and I am not sure if we have either, however, I hope that at some point, we'll find that place that just feel light it was meant to be. 

~:[CH12 - Day 163]:~ A Little Rain, A lot of Fun

~:[CH12 - Day 163]:~ A Little Rain, A lot of Fun

I had a late morning shoot which meant I could rest a little in the morning. I walked around a bit and then got prepped. The shoot went well and the I ventured out and enjoyed the city a bit. It definitely wasn't as packed as yesterday, but I did visit a few new spots as I explored every nook and cranny of places I've been before. Strangely enough, today, I was hoping for rain. The rain meant an exploration. We ended up heading out to explore as we started out in Shibuya hoping to catch a few shots. It was fun to do, but obviously it came at a price, wet clothes. It was quite a hassle to try to hold an umbrella and shoot, thus at times I ditched the umbrella and others figured out ways to maneuver with it. We finished up in Shinjuku, a little damp, but with a load of new memories of long exposures and reflections. While I have some disdain for the "cleanup" after these types of shoots, I always remember that my clothes and items will dry, but these memories will never fade away. 

~:[CH12 - Day 162]:~ Lettuce Eat

 
~:[CH12 - Day 162]:~ Lettuce Eat

It's weird how today, doesn't feel like today. It was such a long day after waking up early that today felt like a century. I woke up early to get everything prepared and then headed out. I had an early solo shoot before I met up with everyone for lunch. It was funny because I explored a new area and it was known as grandma's Harajuku. A shopping street with a lot of item that attract a slightly older population and I did see a lot of older people walking those street. I came across a good katsu spot that fried up combinations I hadn't had (that I could remember) which was kind of cool for a change. I headed back and coordinated with the others to wrap up our shoots. I was able to roam around Ginza as I met up with a few people, as I enjoyed just exploring and eating good food with friend, as we caught up all night. It started to rain, but still enjoyed being out and about. I went to so many spots and met with so many people today that it definitely felt like at least a few days, but in the end, it was definitely an exhausting, yet memorable day. 

~:[CH12 - Day 161]:~ A Drink for the Road

 
~:[CH12 - Day 161]:~ A Drink for the Road

It was a nice way to start this adventure. I got to kick back and relax for a bit as I began my trek. I checked through all my gear and got it all set, as I was going to hit the ground running. When I arrived, it was drizzling a bit, but nothing to be too worried about. I enjoyed a good dinner, coordinated with some colleagues and then just chilled, getting ready for the busy day ahead. As while this is not a true vacation, I am excited to at least enjoy the sites and sounds of the city and of course try out a new collection of food spots. As with each new adventure comes new experiences, I am excited for what's ahead. I am a little nervous on the timeline as there still is a lot to do in the time I am here, but for now, I am not going to worry about it. As while there are a list of things to do in life, the most important thing on that list daily is to ensure that you're taken care of and that's exactly what I am going to do tonight. Until next time ...

~:[CH12 - Day 160]:~ Treasuring Each & Every Day

 
~:[CH12 - Day 160]:~ Treasuring Each & Every Day

I went in early to beat the rush and was glad that I was able to get a picture before it got busy in the office. It was sad to say goodbye to a friend who I have been lucky enough to work with throughout my career. She holds the fort down in the office and truly cares about this school. It's always hard to let go of those who do so much to ensure everything runs smoothly. We don't think about the intangibles that are taken care of, but without all these things taken care of, this school would definitely fall apart. I'm sure she won't miss fixing my mistakes, hearing that bell ring, or answer those calls that nobody wants to take, however, I hope that she will miss us enough to keep in contact with us. In a short chat, I talked about how in my second half of teaching, I'm going to have to say so many more goodbyes. You don't think about it as you're going, but realizing that the years are passing by quickly, you start to realize how much more you need to treasure each day with people. In this instance, I'm talking about seeing all these wonderful people daily, not realizing that one day the routines of working them will be no longer. Similarly, in life, we should treasure these days, as when we get older, the days we have with those who we hold dear will be limited. As I closed down my classroom before the deadline, I walked out knowing that it may feel unfamiliar when I return and the biggest piece that will be missing is this wonderful person. I now have two reasons to trek over to AZ and I hope that I'll follow through on that sooner, rather than later. To all my colleagues and students, have a wonderful summer and to those retiring, have a wonderful retirement. 

~:[CH12 - Day 159]:~ The Tear Down

 
~:[CH12 - Day 159]:~ The Tear Down

A large number of students have walked through this classroom, but very few or any will remember my room like this. My walls are normally filled and my room is like the Little Mermaids cave - a complete collection. I have everything you could need to teach a class from hundreds of markers, samples and images galore and even wigs and costumes for our simulations. On my north wall, I had a banner that my ASB students made for their winter dance still hanging on my wall, but today, all of it was gone. As I cleaned up and boxed everything away the past five to six weeks, I've been able to reflect on all the classes that I've had. I remember so many different memories and moments as I scan through history and when anyone asks me what my favorite moment was, I probably will shrug not knowing when that moment was. However, there is no doubt that I have a huge collection of memories that I will never forget and that will remain special to me. As I finally wrapped up the packing with only one bag left to fill tomorrow, I am happy to look back on this decision to teach and celebrate that fate brought me to this moment. This year, I was a lot more tired and overwhelmed than usual, but still yet, I can't say that I didn't enjoy it. There were a lot of  ups and downs through the year, but as I packed every last memory of the past into boxes and rolled them away, I smile knowing that more of them await. In a few months, I'll be unpacking all those memories I stored away and hopefully that will inspire me to get back my edge and really give my all to my classroom. Sometimes in life, the best way to find new energy is to start anew and while many things I will place up on the walls will be from the past, I know that new energy will thrive as a new layer is plastered over what once was. The construction will not be able to erase the many years of history, as I know that many of those moments will be ones I carry with me for the rest of my life. 

~:[CH12 - Day 158]:~ Soaring

 
~:[CH12 - Day 158]:~ Soaring

Mr. Walker always has a theme around his speech and tonight's centered around Maya Angelou's Caged Bird. Today kind of felt similar to that transition of freedom. The morning stress of tech not working and delaying my process weighed me down, but just hours later, I would be celebrating in the joyous occasion with these seniors. Similarly, in our lives, we may face much heavier moments that leave us hopeless and unmotived. It's easy to feel demoralized when life tests us and makes us feel caged up. These seniors experienced that as in their first year, they were caged. After starting up their freshman year, COVID locked them down. For all it was tough, but for some, it was tougher than for others. It was easy for them to feel confined and locked away as they dreamt for freedom for this pandemic. Fast-forward three years and this same class of students found their way to that freedom. For them, you could sense the joyous moments as they celebrated reaching this pinnacle of their high school career, the finish line. While some may still be finding their way, many have soared to even greater heights, as they understand the importance of this freedom that may have been taken for granted before. As while they struggled, losing focus along the way and needing a little kick in the rear here and there, in the end, they reached this beautiful moment. Our traditional fireworks lit the night's sky as I saw hugs and cheer, I saw tears, and I definitely saw a group of young adults reading to soar. Congratulations to the class of 2023! 

~:[CH12 - Day 157]:~ By Request

 
~:[CH12 - Day 157]:~ By Request

I asked my dad what he wanted me to cook and originally, we agreed on my typical meal for him, seafood pasta. However, this year, it was kind of cute when he walked over and asked me if I could make a dish for him that he found in a magazine. When looking at the recipe, I figured I could do the shopping for the original dish and then also cook the second dish the next day. For those who know me, I could in bulk and so we'll be eating leftovers for awhile, however, seeing him enjoy this meal he picked out himself was quite enjoyable. Scallops are definitely one of my favorites and so I spent careful attention making sure they came out just right. I got the burn I wanted without losing the texture within. I actually quite enjoy when people make decisions. One thing that I sometimes dislike about my job (that is often a positive) is that in most cases, I am the one who has to make most of the decisions. From planning team dinner or what meets we are going to attend, a lot of those details and choices belong to me. Thus, when I got out with the team for a casual event or with my friends, it's much easier when someone steps up and makes the decision for me. When I don't have to think or make a decision, those moments are often fabulous. Of course when it comes down to important details, I accept that as part of my job, but when others step up in my daily life and are decisive or make the decision for me, I am often grateful, as I didn't have to use any energy to think after a long and exhausting day. Do you like making all the decisions or would you rather pass that on to someone else?

~:[CH12 - Day 156]:~ Keeping the Flame

 
~:[CH12 - Day 156]:~ Keeping the Flame

I cooked up some food today to celebrate my dad. I planned to cook the next two days and allow him to enjoy some of my cooking before I left. I'm always motivated to do this even when I'm busy as it's definitely a blessing for me to be able to do this. However, in life, when we face challenges or difficult times, we probably sometimes ask ourselves, how do I keep moving forward? How do I keep that flame burning? As a teacher, sometimes it's difficult at the end of the year to keep that flame going. From grading to wrapping up the year and this year, we top it off with having to move out of our classrooms for construction, we are left without much fuel, making it difficult to keep the flame going. My philosophy has always been to make sure I am enjoying life. When work doesn't feel like work, it's definitely something that you're enjoying, however, every now and then, I need to kick myself and remind myself all the benefits of this job. Don't get me wrong, I am not facing that critical moment, but thinking of all those who are at that point in their lives as I wonder, how do they keep that flame burning in their lives? For some, that struggling flame is work and for others it could be love, but regardless of what it is, I think the best approach is to take that step back and reanalyze things. Instead of putting a larger burden on ourselves and rushing to find a solution, we can take our time, as even when the fuel runs out and the fire is extinguished, we still have the opportunity to reignite that fire within. Today, I felt no letup of that flame as I have been enjoying this ride even during its greatest moments of fatigue, but when I face that moment once more, I hope I can figure everything out and keep that flame within burning. 

~:[CH12 - Day 155]:~ The Charts of Life

 
~:[CH12 - Day 155]:~ The Charts of Life

With a week left of school, there was a lot of work to do on this Sunday. I tried to wrap up everything I had left to do, In between, I checked the charts as normal and to my surprise, I got a green candle, Last week was my last class in Econ and it was fun to talk about the markets and see who invests. Of course, the reality is, the market is not always a fun place. Those candles (both red and green) are sometimes unpredictable. When you study a chart enough, you can typically try to estimate where it's headed, but still yet, there will always be uncertainty. Today my guess was right. Of course, these charts parallel life. Based on our experiences, we can do our best to try to figure out what's ahead, however, there are many uncertainties in life and we may just never know when we'll have that great moment or that agonizing moments in our lives. I could sit here all day and analyze these charts trying to figure out every possibility or ever reason why it moved the way that it did or I can just do a quick scan, use my best judgement, and use the remaining time to finish what I need to do. Our lives are the same. Instead of trying to plan out every detail of our lives, I hope we can spent that extra time focusing on living and enjoying what's around us. As while we may be more prepared for a given moment, sometimes that time would be better spent enjoying the time that we have. We all take a different approach to life and so some may disagree, but for me, I'll do my quick scan of life and then go with the flow to see where life takes me from here. 

~:[CH12 - Day 154]:~ Heated Competition

 

~:[CH12 - Day 154]:~ Heated Competition

It wasn't hot, but compared to the rest of the week, it was. It was strange that the only day I spent considerable amounts of time outside would be the hottest of the week. Of course, the weather matched the heated competition of the day. It was fun to start the races for the elementary track meet. I saw a number of students, alum and others that I knew. It was great having a quick catch up here and there. My starters pistol was giving me trouble and on top of it all, I haven't been able to find replacement blanks anywhere (although I got some tips at the meet). The races went pretty smoothly aside from the fact that giving instruction to elementary students is a challenge in itself. They're energy is all over the place and their attention, well, let's leave it at that. In the end, it was fun to see the effort of all of these students. At the end of the meet, there were some errors in the results, which caused some delays in the meet. I was a little sad to see parents complaining about it while they tried to sort it out with one even calling me over due to the delay. While this meet was not a meet I helped coordinate, learning from previous experience, I hope that they understand how difficult it is to run something of this sort. In the past when organizing events that I didn't need to, people also complained and ultimately, I decided that it wasn't worth my time or trouble to volunteer my time to organize that event. Similarly, if we constantly complain, especially when it's coordinated by volunteers, we're going to lose out on so many events that we could have had if we just worked with them by showing patience or by trying to fix things in the right manner. Instead of adding to the problem, let's be part of the solution. The delays were actually quite minimal especially when comparing them to the delays we faced all of track season this year. Of course this moment could not ruin a day where there was so much enjoyment and an experience these students will remember for a long time. For some, they may never run track and field in high school, but for those that do, it will be fun to see how much they changed since they had this opportunity. My body was drained when I got home as I was not used to being out in the sun, as I've been locked up editing and coordinating. I ended up plopping down for a bit before getting back to work, but as I thought back to the day, there was no doubt that it was a day well spent. 

~:[CH12 - Day 153]:~ The Chaotic Farewell

 
~:[CH12 - Day 153]:~ The Chaotic Farewell

I think when we are about to say farewell, we think about how we want to say it. We lay out our plans, make our preparation and hope it goes well. After a stressful few weeks, today was the culmination of the chaos. Luckily, we had taken our senior finals yesterday, but still yet, it was stressful. We wrapped up our character speeches today, which was solid and showed the progress of the freshmen. The freshmen said farewell to their senior  IAs a s they frantically took photos and wrote messages even after the bell rang. For the seniors, they had their final chance to say a goodbye message and one last opportunity to share time together before they parted. I tried my best to sign as many yearbooks as I could, but the bell rang and I had to zoom out to a meeting. In between, I handed out banquet stuff, wrapped up financials for track, and tried to think about what I was going to move later in the day. I thought it would be a restful day, but not only was I tired, it was chaotic. Regardless, the stress of planning was off my shoulders, so I could focus on grades and just odds and ends associated with the end of the year. As we approach the final stretch, there are no more large events and no more videos to edit as I see a straight path to the beautiful finish line ahead. It was a chaotic farewell today and I wish I had just one more day with the seniors, however, I guess it was only fitting that our farewell felt like we were wrapping up a conference. As I say farewell to these seniors, I think about how they dealt with missing out on their last few months of freshman year and all of sophomore year and still managed to grown and develop like any other MUNer. I am appreciative of their effort and definitely know that success awaits them, as they're armed with the tools they need and a little swagger because they're confident in their speaking abilities.

~:[CH12 - Day 152]:~ The Warmth of the Night

 
~:[CH12 - Day 152]:~ The Warmth of the Night

The forecast called for chilly weather. I was just hoping it didn't rain. Why? With all the construction going on, we decided to hold our banquet in the quad. I made a small fireplace prop with a fan and tissue paper and we had the student gather together after eating their traditional MUN dinner, tacos. As usual, they ate to their hearts content. It's always a great moment to recognize those who go above and beyond. For MUN, these students are some of the most exceptional students on campus and thus, to be recognize among the best of the best is pretty impressive. It was tough because I knew that a few others were just short of being recognized, but I hope they know I am so proud of all their efforts, award or not. Of course, the finale was what had me stressing for the past few weeks. I heard the word procrastination a lot, but the reality was, I started processing three weeks ago and even let my computer run during my trip to try to make sure I was on track. Without the tech issues, I would have been fine, but of course, when it rain, it pours. Somehow, I wrapped up 85% of the edits by 3am and then finished up during 4th period as I allowed it to render. My updated MacBook is much faster and so it did render much faster than expected, which allowed me to relax a bit. I was definitely upset that I couldn't add in the last song to get the last bit of footage in (to include more students), however, I was happy that I was able to show something and the students, especially those who went to NY and Vancouver, enjoyed the show. As while it was chilly outside, it was nice and cozy as we came together to watch the video in 504. It was different than being in the theater or gym, but it definitely had a good feel to it. This year, this whole process was definitely different, but it didn't make it any better or worse. Of course, with the theme of campout, it definitely was a lot more comfortable as we were able to relax, be comfortable and enjoy the company of those who we've spent so much time together grinding through MUN work with; definitely heart warming.