~:[CH13 - Day 244]:~ The Champions of Life

 
~:[CH13 - Day 244]:~ The Champions of Life

It was great to see my friend on stage in the spotlight, energizing the crowd at the House of Blues. I was exhausted after a long day, but still wanted to go out and capture moments like this. As cool as it is to be at the spotlight, however, those who are in the spotlight and those who are the champions in our life, often go unseen. It was great to open the morning, finally seeing this year's Great Cow Run take place. The amount of time and energy it takes to plan is enormous and to finally have that weight off your shoulders lifted feels amazing. However, as much praise as I get to hear, the real praise goes to all those behind the scenes. To the person directing traffic on the course, those who monitor the athletes to avoid any issues, those who help coordinate the booths such as registration and of course, the "cows" among many others. Many of these people get passed on by, but are the ones who deserve the most praise. When I think about the champions in my life, they're people that are always there supporting me. As I write this post, I realize that I should be giving them a lot more praise and recognition than I do, but I think that's how we are in life sometimes. It's great when we celebrate those who accomplish things such as records and such, but we can also celebrate those who are doing the small things. Whether it's big or not, they deserve to be celebrated as champions just as much as those in the spotlight. To the athlete who walked on campus to grab the last hurdle on campus to my friend who rocked in on stage to everyone in between, I definitely want to make sure I salute you. As while the person picking up a piece of trash on campus to finalize the cleanup may not be on stage, they are also a piece of the puzzle of life. The events I plan and organize are only possible because of a collective of people around me and I hope that they feel the same satisfaction in helping to create a successful event, because without them, it simply would not be possible. With the Cowlympics theme, I think of the many athletes who have that support group around them their entire lives who helped get them to where they are. To the coaches who guided them, the family who supported them, and those around them that encouraged them, they are some of the people we should be sure we champion in our lives. By night's end, I was happy to be done, but looking back, I truly appreciated all those who made this moment and many moments in my life possible. As I celebrated the wonderful performance of a friend on stage, in my heart, I also celebrated every person who made this wonderful day a success as you truly deserve to be called champions. 

~:[CH13 - Day 243]:~ Let's Show Our Spirit

 
~:[CH13 - Day 243]:~ Let's Show Our Spirit

It's always a bit crazy the day before Cow Run. To coordinate the handing of jersey, shirts, marking the course and then packing for the next morning, there definitely is a lot to do. I wrapped up the evening making buttons and Olympic rings to fit the theme. When you commit to something though, you put in all your effort and you do it well. Marking the course was a much easier task because I had a group of people doing just that. They went the extra mile and truly helped ease the burden on my shoulders. Many of them headed to our cross town rivalry game against Gahr, but sadly I had to pass due to the work I had left to do. However, the spirit was high at the game as the team won with an amazing game! It was a day of great performances as earlier in the day, our cheer's yell and song squad had some great performances, while our dance team gave an amazing performance as well. I hope that these students see the importance of the work they put in to what they do and also see that supporting other groups also adds to the joys of their journey. There was a lot of spirit floating around Cerritos today and I am glad that our Dons are setting that gold standard from the very start of the school year.

~:[CH13 - Day 242]:~ Don't Wait For An-udder Time

 
~:[CH13 - Day 242]:~ Don't Wait For An-udder Time

Do what you want to do today. As I prepped for the Cow Run, I thought back to the very start of when it began. We could have waiting to put it on, be decided to just go for it. It was small, but worked out just fine. Over time, it grew what it is today, even though we can no longer return to the parks for an event like this. We could have stopped after we were limited, but we figured, let's continue to go with it and not wait until the parks were available. In the end, I think we still are able to put on an event that teams can enjoy and I am really glad we kept pushing forward instead of waiting. There are days where my motivation can be low, but often, I just pick myself up and force my self to do it. As while it's easy to put it off to another day, I hope we don't wait for another day to take care of it. Even in preparing this year, what I may normally put off, I took care of early and it meant that these past few days have been a bit more relaxing. Ultimately, do what you can when you're able to do, as you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. Don't wait, just do it. 

~:[CH13 - Day 241]:~ Mapping It Out

 
~:[CH13 - Day 241]:~ Mapping It Out

I like the Cow Run ... when it's over. Don't get me wrong, I love watching the event take place, but the weight on my shoulders until the meet ends keeps me from enjoying it worry free. I am not made for putting on events of this size, not because I can't do it, but because I am really bad at delegating work. The process starts pretty early with deciding on a theme and designing the shirts and medals. It proceeds with the team awards, the merchandise and the registrations. Then as we get closer, the updates, the organizing and final plans start coming together. From checklists to signs, volunteer assignments and analyzing layouts, it's such a smorgasbord of tasks, but at the end, it all comes together. While I do most of the pre-work, I am glad to have such as experienced and reliable team who can execute the plan, even though I may not have done a good job delegating. If you ever plan a cross country invitational, keep it small or delegate early and it will make your life a lot easier. However, if you decide to take it all on, be sure to diagram everything out so it makes it easier when you're trying to execute it in the end. Hopefully my sign placers can follow my sign placement map as shown above or any other diagram I give them, but only time will tell how I feel Saturday afternoon when the finally piece of trash is thrown away and my van is fully loaded. I'll definitely be looking forward to eating and then taking a long nap until my event later that evening, but for now, I'll head back to finishing up all the last minute items, just hoping that I didn't forget anything. For those who are attending, I'll see you Saturday and for those who are not, I'll update you if I survive :) Let's get MOOOOOOOving!

~:[CH13 - Day 240]:~ Sun Sets on Another Day

 

~:[CH13 - Day 240]:~ Sun Sets on Another Day

I walked off campus at another Back to School Night. As I did, the beautiful colors in the sky allowed me to reminisce of all the past years as I walked this same path. Each moment was different, but strangely familiar. I am thankful for every day I am able to walk this path. Whether the day went well or it had its challenging moments, the fact that I could enjoy another sunet and sunrise, means I get to live another day. When all in life is challenging, soak in the beauty around you that sometimes goes unnoticed - a squirrel leaping across the grass, the winds blowing through the leaves, a reflection the water. On top of it all, appreciate the breath you just took and the one after, as while it may seem so routine, something so simple is as beautiful as this sky at sunset.

~:[CH13 - Day 239]:~ Through the Rain

~:[CH13 - Day 239]:~ Through the Rain

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing students have a breakthrough. Whether it's turning it around academically, finding a new PR, finding a new passion or even when they find progress beyond their high school years. Many of my students venture off and I briefly hear about what they are doing from time to time, while others, I get to see first hand to see them progress. The road is still filled with its ups and downs. It's never easy to see when they are wandering through the rain, but it's a joy to see that rain stop as they soak in the sunshine. I hope that I can be someone who can hold an umbrella for those who are going through the rain, hoping they see that there always is someone there walking alongside them. I hope that the time I spend with them will guide them to that sunshine as when they find it, it means that sunshine will also come into my life. Some people will avoid the rain at all costs, but know that when you wander into the rain to help those around you, not only will the sun eventually dry up the reminisce of the rain, but together you'll get to enjoy the sunny days ahead.

eaJ is on tour beginning in September! Please come out to support him. There will also be a photocard and button giveaway at Tapioca Express from September 10-25.

~:[CH13 - Day 238]:~ The End of the Tunnel

 
~:[CH13 - Day 238]:~ The End of the Tunnel

My computer is like a sloth. I click to open a program and five or ten minutes later, it opens. I dreaded the day ahead as I had to work all day on it, but by night's end, I saw light at the end of the tunnel. With Cow Run, District and SF within a week of each other,  the paperwork required has piled up as I've been designing, ordering, planning, and organizing. I stepped out for my normal Sunday break, then continued my hibernation as I worked the day away. I quickly wrapped up the team packets as my computer slowed me down when I was on my final page; I overcame it. I finished up the permission slips, began the trip coordinating as I got excited for the mini adventure; I enjoyed it. I wrapped it up then continued organizing the forty volunteers to help with the 1600+ athletes attending. While I thought we were really short on volunteers, we were able to stretch it out to slot enough to cover; I solved it. I wrapped up the evening with my final tasks as I wrapped up my prep for tomorrow and even designed and ordered the items for my event in a few weeks; I designed it. After thinking I had no chance after a bleak start with my computer, I ended up breezing through my tasks, finishing more than I had planned as I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on your tasks at hand and be confident that you'll reach your goals at the end of the tunnel, no matter what challenges come your way.

~:[CH13 - Day 237]:~ Views from Above

 

~:[CH13 - Day 237]:~ Views from Above

Someone took a shot of me from this angle and I liked it, so I decided to take a photo of my team from here as well. It was nice to have a group who was ready and willing to work show up. It's never easy to give up your Saturday, but this group of athletes did in hopes of improving themselves. When you keep working and you keep climbing, you eventually surpass so many and find yourself with a beautiful view perched high above. As I peered out over the edge, I realized hust how rewarding a climb like this may be. While exhausting, I also thought about how rewarding it would feel as well. After a nice lunch, I was ready to burrow myself indoors as I got to work on my tower of tasks awaiting me; however I know that when I finish, there will be a beautiful view awaiting me, up high above.

~:[CH13 - Day 236]:~ Smart Money

 
~:[CH13 - Day 236]:~ Smart Money

It may seem like they're just doing busy work if you walked into class, but they're really crunching numbers. In California, there is a lot of talk of the need for financial literacy, but for years, we've been looking at this very topic, hoping they can make good decisions. In my first assignment, I always break the class into families. They apply for jobs, receive their salary info and then have to decide on where to live and budget for all the things they've enjoyed their entire life. It's fun to see them crunch the numbers. They have to cut things out they're used to as they think of things they don't need and realize how much more they need to save, just to cover the basics, especially after we complete our taxes. I think this also helps them think when they ultimately decide on the college of their choice. They need to figure out exactly what the cost benefits of each school is, although it's not an easy thing to figure out. Still yet, I hope that they have a better understanding of how the world works and all the things they need to be prepared for, as the road ahead will be a much easier one, if they're able to plan ahead. I hope that they can find the jobs that will give them what they need, while also giving them to ability to enjoy their lives as well, as one of the other topics we always touch is making sure you have a good work-life balance as well. 

~:[CH13 - Day 235]:~ Luck or Intuition?

 
~:[CH13 - Day 235]:~ Luck or Intuition?

I do a brief glance into the stock market with my Econ class in the morning. As I saw one of the stocks take a dip after their reverse split, I ended up buying the stock after class. Strangely, the stock shot up the next day. When I look at the stock market, a lot of it can be based on timing. With all the factors in play, you could say it's all about lucky, but are our decisions really intuition? Do we subconsciously use what we've absorbed to make that decision or do we just get lucky sometimes? It often parallels life. Do we get lucky when things fall into place for us in life? Do we make rash decisions and get lucky or are those decisions often based on what we have gathered through our life? It's often hard to say, but I'd like to think that we are smarter than we think we are. When we make our decisions using our instincts, we can often find that we have the ability to make good decisions. Of course, I based this on my own experiences and cannot say this is the case for everyone, but for the most part, I would trust the intuition of the many people around me. I think they are grounded enough to make the right decisions, even when it seems like we're diving into a bottomless abyss. In life, sometimes we need to take that leap of faith and today, my belief in what I sensed, paid off. Trust your own instincts, because more times than not, you might just be right.

~:[CH13 - Day 234]:~ Where do you want to be?

~:[CH13 - Day 234]:~ Where do you want to be?

Somebody asked me, "where do you want to be?" A few days since they asked me, I began to think about it. As I ventured deeper into the world of photography, I found myself experiencing a range of genres. From landscapes to street photographer, food photos to dance, I've ventured into a world of varied interests. I've always been that way. I'm more of a jack-of-all-trades rather than a specialist. I have a wide range of talents and will never been top tier in any one area, but it's great to have the know how to do a bit of everything. However, maybe the place I want to be is one where I am better in one area than another. As you find success, the natural inclination is to chase after a higher peak. I read a story about a pair of mountain climbers who had died in Tibet while tried to ascend the 14 highest peaks the fastest for an American. Their drive to reach these peaks, blinded them from the dangers and led to their passing. However, is trying to ascend quickly a path to demise? Is slow progression the best approach to reaching where you eventually want to be? If I attempt to improve myself and ascend to a higher peak, should I approach with caution or should I give it my all in getting there. As the questions kept filling up my mind, I took a step back and paused. I started to scroll through my photos from this summer's shoots and posted a few that I enjoyed. Ascending to a peak quickly, may leave me on top sooner, but maybe it will leave me alone. Looking through my photos, I realized that in the process of building my photography portfolio up, I've been lucky to meet and interact with so many people while improving in my craft. As while I may not be a world renowned photographer being scouted by the top people and companies, I can be content in my ability to build something meaningful in the process. I may never reach that peak I see as I look up to what is possible in the future, however, maybe where I want to be is right here, living in this moment with the opportunity to interact the way that I am. Maybe one day, I'll open up a DM from a reputable company, hoping to use my services, but I'd probably end up leaving it there in fear that it was a phishing scam, while going back to collecting a number of memories and experiences that money cannot buy. With each click, I get more exposure to the place I want to be. While I may not know exactly where that is, I have this feeling that I am on the right path.
 

~:[CH13 - Day 233]:~ Behind the Scenes

 
~:[CH13 - Day 233]:~ Behind the Scenes

I'm always reminded of the image of the iceberg. People see the tip of the iceberg, but don't always see it in full. In life, people don't always see and appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes. As I worked on editing the photos from this weekend's photoshoot in between prepping for classes, I thought about this. All the work that we put in, often goes unnoticed. Many people see the event and not the months of planning that go into it. Many students experience the lesson being taught, but know nothing about the training and studying required to prepare it. Some enjoy the delicious food, but don't understand the practice required to get to that expertise of cooking. In every walk of life, there is work that is done behind the scenes and nobody will appreciate it. In many cases, many will not even know the person who put in the work behind the scenes. For all those who have not been recognized, I applaud you. For the teacher staying up all night grading projects and answering emails, to the doctor having to find ways to cope with the loss of a patient, to an athlete or artist who puts in hours and hours of work, for a performance that is only a fraction of the time of what was put into it's development, you are appreciated. Some of the best work we do, will go unnoticed, but deep within, you have to known and understand that the truest form of appreciation must come from within ourselves. Take pride in the work you produce and let not your measure of success be bound by the appreciation of others. While it's great to soak in that gratitude given or to see people experience what you produced, the fact that you completed what you were aiming for, should bring you the contentment you deserve. Even when there is nobody cheering you on, keep grinding behind the scenes, because at some point, all that work you've put in will one day be appreciated. 

~:[CH13 - Day 232]:~ Overcoming

 
~:[CH13 - Day 232]:~ Overcoming

The heat was a bit of a concern so I prepared to adapt my workouts for the day, but this group is resilient. From the start, they didn't complain much, as they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. I love the grit that this group has shown as they overcome a number of obstacles to get where they are. It would be easy to take the short route like many did today, but a decent sized group did the maximum. We trailed along their run to make sure everyone was good, but they all made it safely around the route, accomplishing a difficult task under difficult conditions. In our own lives, we're going to face adverse conditions and we have the choice to roll up our sleeves and have at it or we can shy away and stay comfortable. Obviously, there will be days that we will be defeat, but for the most part, our ability to challenge ourselves will leave ourselves in a better place. Daily, this group has reminded me of this. Challenge myself and don't back down. At times I'll be uncomfortable, at times, I'll have to raise the white flag, but regardless, I can prove to myself that I'll at least give it a shot. Don't sell yourself short and find out what you can do. Don't allow the doubts of life stop you from moving forward and don't be afraid of the challenging road ahead, as you can overcome it just like this group of athletes has shown me, time and time again. 

~:[CH13 - Day 231]:~ Capture the Moment

 
~:[CH13 - Day 231]:~ Capture the Moment

Even if you have the best subject, you still have to capture the moment. Whether it be the right framing, settings or just the right millisecond, you need to capture it. As my love for photography has grown, the frustrations of missing shots has also followed along. Sometimes tech issues get in the way, other times, you miss a moment by a second, or maybe, you just mess up. However, when get the moment just right, there is definitely a thrill unlike any other. For me, capturing these moments is special since they become memories that live for a lifetime. We all look back on photographs we've taken and smile. They don't need to be perfect, but just good enough to remind us of the great memories of the past. However, as a photographer, I always pride myself on making sure I get the best shot I can. That desire, however, can lead to disappointment. Regardless, I keep shooting, I keep pushing on, and I keep challenging myself to take dynamic shots. I won't always end a shoot happy, but if I get that one shot or a set of shots I love, it's quite the thrill. After along day of shooting, I was overjoyed at the collection of photos I created with some very talented individuals and will truly add these to my many cherished moments I've captured over the years. What is your favorite picture you have in your collection?

~:[CH13 - Day 230]:~ Transformation

 

~:[CH13 - Day 230]:~ Transformation

To see athletes change from freshman year to senior year or even from year to year is amazing. With an early morning time trial, we got our first glimpse into how our team will look for the upcoming season. While we were missing athletes here and there, it was nice to look at the athletes and how they progressed since last season on this very course. We got hit hard with graduations last year, so this year's team needed to do a lot of work to fill in the gaps and make progress. It was nice to see some of the new athletes move up and some of the veterans break through for PRs. Our top girl ran to the #4 time in school history in just  a short span of time, improving nearly four minutes from last season where she faced a number of obstacles. With every year, we face the different layout of the team and because of it, we see the transformation of athletes who step up into roles they didn't have previous. It's great to see! Who knows what the cards hold for this upcoming season, but what I do hope is, that each of these athletes finds a transformation they can be proud of. As much as we would like some things to stay the same, change is inevitable and thus we must always be ready to transform ourselves to adapt to any given situation. 

~:[CH13 - Day 229]:~ How (In)Convenient

 

~:[CH13 - Day 229]:~ How (In)Convenient

It's never good when you realize your computer crashed. The past few years, I've had a few drives go down and in all cases but one, I just downloaded the files again or was sent a recovery drive of my backup. However, when your computer crashes, it becomes a bit more difficult. Luckily, I don't store much on my actual computer and didn't lose a single file (aside from programs), however, I realized how inconvenient it was to have to start from scratch. Every saved password that I had forgotten, evern website I never typed in and more came to light as I had to reinstall and re-login to everything. Today was the first day in a week that I am writing my blog from my computer and even today, I logged in incorrectly. As inconvenient as all this was, it refreshed my computer and also my mind. I was reminded of all the passwords I forgot, made me think more carefully of how I wanted to organize my files, and even made me look back at old files, to make sure that they were there. A reset in life will sometimes lead to future convenience. As while it's hard to deal with a situation where all comes crashing down, there's also some upside that will lead to benefits down the road. The next few weeks, I'll be working out some things as I recover my computer to the state it was, as while the timing was quite inconvenient, maybe it happened at just the right time. Exhausted from the week, I expended my final ounce of energy with the little ones and then headed to my room prep for tomorrow's time trial. As I sorted through the photos from the evening, I put them in my newly organized folders and thought to myself, maybe it wasn't so bad after all. I lied to myself a bit, but still yet, it was definitely nice to have things organized once again. 

~:[CH13 - Day 228]:~ (Un)reliable Memories

 

~:[CH13 - Day 228]:~ (Un)reliable Memories

As I watched Serendipity's Embrace, a quote came up about how memories are unreliable. It hit a chord within me as I thought constantly about various memories within my own life and how it may differ from the views of another. A concert that may hold sentimental value, may be a moment of pain for someone else in the crowd or even the performer, a certain location may bring fond memories while for others it would bring trauma, even two people experiencing the same moment together, may hold different value and importance to a given moment. Are our memories unreliable? For ourselves, I think we know what memories hold, but in relation to others, those memories become unreliable when we don't communicate and truly understand how the other feels. When we see only our view, we may discount the impact that moment or place has on someone else. Sometimes in these moments, it leads to division and distancing, when in fact, it could have become a moment of understanding. Memories can become reliable, when instead of making assumption, we communicate. We express ourselves, we listen, we understand and we respect each other. As I mixed up the blue fin tuna a friend bought for me that I made into poke, it brought back memories of many beautiful days in Hawaii. For many, they will also find these memories opportunities to reminisce, but more importantly, this meal will be a start of a conversation to truly discover just how reliable my memories are. 

~:[CH13 - Day 227]:~ Opening a New Door

 ~:[CH13 - Day 227]:~ Opening a New Door

We enjoyed our midweek run with a food run. Food runs may seem like a waste of time, but they serve as a recovery day, while also giving athletes to chance to meet each other. Today's mission was to talk to somebody you haven't talked to before. When we do these runs, most of the time, friends end up hanging out with other friends. However, when you open a door to a new friendship, it often can do wonders to your network of connections as you meet a group of new friends who can share their diverse interests. It could be a singlar moment you connect or a life-changing one that impacts you for many years. We often decide to do things or not to do things based on who is going, instead, maybe we can try doing something alone and open a new door in our life to expand the boundaries of our lives. As we celebrated the birthday of two of our athletes together, we also celebrated the many bonds that have been made over time when we just made the effort to open a new door in our life.

~:[CH13 - Day 226]:~ Get in the Spirit

 

~:[CH13 - Day 226]:~ Get in the Spirit

It's hard to get back in the swing of things, but it makes it more fun when there are things to look forward to. To be honest, it's hard to have a spirit dress up week the first week of school, but in the chaos of it all, it makes it a bit fun as well. I actually remembered to wear my jersey as I marched with my brother and showed off a little spirit. I hope that this year is filled with a lot of spirit and energy as it makes for better memories and amazing experiences. What is your favorite spirit event you can remember from school?

~:[CH13 - Day 225]:~ Far from the Destination

 

~:[CH13 - Day 225]:~ Far from the Destination

It was the first day of school. I already was dealing with my computer crash and thus missing files for day one, but there was also an earthquake and the temperatures were a bit warm. Regardless, the students just went with the flow as I introduced them to Adobe Express, my athletes had one of the largest groups complete the full course to Los Alamitos HS and back, and I was able to at least back up the files on my computer via safe mode (finally) in case my computer never recovers. As we provided the final support station on today's run at Los Alamitos, they were far from our destination, but they grinded it out and made it and so did I. I've been talking a lot about the challenges that life throws at you and recently, there's been a downpour. Through it, I learned different strategies, figured out work arounds, and even connected with others I may not habe otherwise. It would be nice if I could just come home and log on without any worries, but I also feel that I am testing what I am able to do and learn to handle adversity. Smooth sailing leaves you worry free, but obstacles allow you to think critically and figure out how to work your way out of a dilemma. In the end, my computer is still far away from being repaired and my class materials are still missing, still yet, I am still confident I can figure my way through these challenging times and make my way to my final destination, no matter how far I am from it at this very moment.

~:[CH13 - Day 224]:~ When Life Crashes Down

 

~:[CH13 - Day 224]:~ When Life Crashes Down

I was excited to have a light weekend as I headed into the first week of school. I had plenty of time to get things organized and planned. I took the morning to chat with an alumni as they prepped for school, then headed home to work or so I thought. My computer shut down and kept freezing on boot. I tried my normal fixes, adjusted the restore points and now I am running a diagnostic. Of course, that took the prep time I had planned. I'm not too worried about the majority of my files as they're backed up aside from a few newly created ones. However, as someone who loves efficiency, it definitely can be annoying. Technology and related things has strangely been challenging lately. From camera issues to credit card fraud and hacking, I've encountered a few tech-related issues I am not used to, but that's just how things are sometimes; life can crash down on you at once. I'll probably have to rebuilding the computer or start anew, but I guess this reminds me, that it's similar to life. When things go awry, you can either give up, start with a clean slate, or grind through it. Sometimes in these moments, it takes just a quick refresher to help you see clearly, like that moment you come out of a car wash, realizing just how dirty your windshield was. Life doesn't always lend you the time to realize what needs a little refreshing in your life, but at some point, the error message in life doesn't mean that life is crashing down, it's just a reminder that it's time for a tune up or a need for a fresh start. As I waited for my computer to complete it's testing, I looked back over my photographs from Asia, messaged a few friends, and did a few things that I've been meaning to get to. I wasted a bit of time I wanted to make use of, but instead of simply moping about the situation, I kept a positive outlook hoping things will work out, while also creating a plan B. When it rains, it pours, but at least you'll know that down the road, all that rain will mean greener pastures ahead.

~:[CH13 - Day 223]:~ Trusting Your Intuition

 

~:[CH13 - Day 223]:~ Trusting Your Intuition 

I picked up a birria frozen dish from Trader Joe's a few weeks back and when I finally ate it, I thought, this would be a good base to make pot roast with. I've been cooking since when I was young, spending time in the kitchen watching my parents cook and experimenting on my own, so my sixth sense of food, has always been present. My dad and I always have tried to recreate dishes we've eaten at restaurants and I, myself, love to mix things up a bit, which I did a lot during the pandemic. In the end, despite a small mistake when adding garlic, the dish turned out how I imagined, creating a little kick to what is normally my pot roast recipe. When you have built up your skills over time, there comes a point where you can trust your intuition. No recipe, article or social media post needs to tel you something will work, you'll just know. I think with all of us, when we focus on building a strong foundation, it will allow us to become more innovative, creative and willing to try new things. It reminded me of how important that foundation is to build within our youth as well. While people can naturally pick things up, through learning and experience, your find a greater ability to expand your horizons. 

~:[CH13 - Day 222]:~ Walking Through Those Gates

 

~:[CH13 - Day 222]:~ Walking Through Those Gates

As a few of my athletes worked at orientation, I realized it's always interesting to watch the new students walk through the gates of campus and into a whole different world. The wide eyes of these freshman may be a sign of their nervousness, as they know not where their journey will head. Like them, we often pass through the gates of the unknown. Whether it be a new assignment, a future with someone new or a step forward after losing someone dear, or a change in direction, it will take most of us some time to adjust and adapt. It's okay to feel a bit overhwhelmed, anxious or nervous, but there is also no reason why we shouldn't be hopeful and confident of what's ahead. Life is challenging enough, thus, let's give ourselves the encouragement we need when we walk through the gates of life. While many students and staff will be cheering on and encouraging these freshmen, sometimes, we are the forgotten ones, so instead of just relying on others, take the first big step by relying on yourself. Along the way, you'll discover many who will root you on, but until then, don't forget to believe in yourself. Walking through those gates will be a bit nerve-wracking every time, but we have the power to make it a little easier.

~:[CH13 - Day 221]:~ Directional

 
~:[CH13 - Day 221]:~ Directional

Don't be afraid to go off in your own direction. As we did a test of where we fall based on a self-analysis, I was the only one in my quadrant. I didn't mind at all, as long as I was the person who I wanted to be. I am fine being different, even if it means traveling down a road less (or never) traveled or even if it means being alone. While I never felt alone, I've grown confident enough to veer into the beaten path and try to discover the way that is best suited for me. I think we are in world where acceptance is central, while in the process, people sometimes lose their own self-identity. Still yet, just because others are similar to you, doesn't mean you're not on your own path, however, it's a good reminder that even if you're headed in the same directions as a group of others, there's no reason why, you always need to follow along, even if you want to divert temporarily. It's easier for some than others, but for those who struggle being in that quadrant alone, just remember that before you can truly find acceptance, you need to accept yourself first and that will help you find the direction in life that you need.

~:[CH13 - Day 220]:~ The Right Choices

 
~:[CH13 - Day 220]:~ The Right Choices

Attending PD is kind of a crap shoot. You pick from a list of presentations and hope the one you go to is good. Most of the time, they're not bad and I survive, however, today, I landed in one that I was pretty happy to be in, so much so that I ended up changing my schedule to attend the various sessions. Looking back, I probably should have stayed for two to try out one other session, but I also didn't mind that I had time to play around with the material and see what I could create. It's nice to make a discovery when you make the right choices. Whether it's finding an easier way to do something, working on the right timing or simply making a choice that allows you to coast along, it makes life a little more bearable the more "right choices" you make. Part of it is luck and part of it is knowledge, but even with a lot of knowledge, you still have to hope that things work out. As we head into the school year, I don't know if I'll be making the right choices as we move forward, but I can only hope that I make the decisions that can best guide me towards a path that is as smooth as possible. After a somewhat bumpy end to the last school year, I learned where I should put my focus, time and attention towards. As much as you want to correct things in your world, with limited time and resources, focusing on what's important is part of the process of making those choices. As the baggage of life can easily weight you down, choose what the carry with you and what to discard regularly to conserve your energy, resources and time. You won't always make the right choices and others may view it as wrong, still yet, let them be yours and most of the time, your decisions will be right. Here's looking to a better tomorrow, as you embark on a new journey hoping for many more wonderful discoveries like the ones I uncovered today.

~:[CH13 - Day 219]:~ Bling Bling

 
~:[CH13 - Day 219]:~ Bling Bling

It was tough to wake up. While I've been waking up early daily, to wake up for a PD seemed a bit tougher. However, I did and in the end it wasn't so bad. I could have had a few more days to relax and get work done, but of course, I chose the route to bring in a bit more money. In the back of my mind, however, I knew that I still had a bunch of work to do, including wrapping up preparations for the Great Cow Run. Luckily, we ended a bit early and I was able to sneak back home before practice and finish ordering this year's medals. The end of the summer is a little bit tough as I have to do a number of big orders and reservations. From medals to flights, hotels and other orders, there's a lot to take care of along with preparing for the school year. Still yet, when the end of the day comes, it's great to realize you're one step closer to wrapping things up, as another items gets wrapped up. After a solid tempo run, our team went to the weight room and most of them gathered around the TV to watch some of the track races. It was actually a nice way to end the day of work, as I headed home to cool off and wrap up the other work I had to do. As much as I dread that the summer is coming to end, I am happy to look back and see all the things I accomplished this summer. Aside from the checklist of items, the numerous memories I made over the past few months have been the greatest riches I've collected and some of the most memorable things I did. While they may not be on any to-do list, they were definitely things that I was happy to do. May life bring you blessings such as these, as a pile of precious memories is the best bling that anyone could ask for.

~:[CH13 - Day 218]:~ Stars & Constellations

 
~:[CH13 - Day 218]:~ Stars & Constellations

I got a lot of work done in the morning and checked off items on my to-do list. With a number of big events coming up, my anxiousness has been growing a bit, as we try to put on a great event. As the time grew closer, I headed out to practice, looking at the temperature before I did, and thus, adjusted the workout in my mind. When arriving, a group of runners awaited their workout. It was definitely a change from the early morning workouts and thus, I was pleasantly surprised by the group that showed up. I love the camaraderie of this group that's been on display through the summer. It's been a smaller group, but they seem to gravitate together. We have athletes that are faster than others, but that doesn't stop them from interacting with each other. In life, we are trying to achieve the goals we are shooting for, however, at the same time, we need to find that balance between ourselves and others. I think many people I know are actually too giving and not selfish enough, however, there are others who are so focused on reaching their goals, they isolate themselves, blinding themselves to others. In this group, I have a number of motivated individuals, but I still get a sense that they also are focused on the progress of those around them. Because of that, we may have those who will shine during the season, but instead of a single star up there in sky, our team will create a constellation. The quote I picked this week for our newsletter focused on this idea. Why shine alone, when you can shine together as a constellation? As an ohana, I was proud of all those who came out and braved the heat. They passed on being lazy and passed on being comfortable and not only did what they needed to do, but many did the originally planned workout. They motivated each other and at the end of the day, I had a sizeable pack that completed the longer of the workouts. While we have a lot of building and development to go, I am sure that because of the unity this team has, they're going to help each other push through difficult moments, motivate each other to work harder and ultimately, find a moment where they will all be able to shine together. It's easy to focus on the singular star, but that star is no match for a constellation who stuck together, supported each other, and become something much more glorious, together. WE > ME

~:[CH13 - Day 217]:~ Sizzlin'

 
~:[CH13 - Day 217]:~ Sizzlin'

Our plans changed due to the crowds at various restaurants. We searched around a bit, yet settled on a place. It ended up working out as while it wasn't AYCE, it was nice to not have to worry about cooking your food. We were able just to chat and enjoy our time together. As the summer is quickly coming to a close, we squeezed in a moment to gather. It was nice to reminisce, but also nice to talk about what's ahead. Nothing complex, just simply quality time together. I prefer to stay in as the temperatures have been sizzlin' outside and the KBBQ made it even a bit more warm, but it was all worth going out to to create more of these special moments. Sure, it would have been much easier to stay in and watch the Olympics with the AC on, but it's when you're comfortable that you let things pass on by, you may have otherwise not. Take your chances, get a little uncomfortable sometimes and you might just find that life will sizzle a bit bit more, as wonderful adventures and memories await you. 

~:[CH13 - Day 216]:~ At Peace

 
~:[CH13 - Day 216]:~ At Peace

I've never seen the sakura in Japan. The one time I was supposed to go, my plans were derailed. However, when looking to the ceiling of the mortuary at the viewing today, I couldn't stop thinking about the beauty of its visual above. Without a photo, I searched for one that could compose this emotion within myself and I found this photo. The delicate beauty of the sakura with the journey of someone who has fought through the tough battles of life and now is making her way on her final journey. There was sadness in the air, but at the same time, there was a sense of consolation in that Maya could be at peace. We always wish for a miracle in these types of situations, but at the same time, our ability to be able to meet someone like Maya is a miracle in itself. While I didn't have many encounters with her, when I saw her at gatherings and at the basketball games, she was always full of energy and enthusiasm. One time, while eating at Dakara, she came in through the back and her energy was something that could be easily sensed. It's these types of people that are a miracle to those around them. They contribute to the lives of others and bright light and hope into their lives. They don't cease to exist, as their memory is already imprinted within us, as we carry a part of her with every day we are lucky enough to walk on this earth. To have a child pass so young is definitely a tragedy, but still yet, I know that I am lucky to have crossed paths with her. As I looked up to the ceiling, I thought of walking across a beautiful path with the petals of the sakura gently swirling around me. As while you may never want anyone to take this journey, your only hope is that they get an opportunity to have their final journey be as beautiful as this. If the beauty that Maya brought to the life is any indication, her final journey will be a beautiful one, lined with these precious petals and a scent that one can only imagine. As while there will be a void in the lives of many for years to come, let us not forget that we forever carry a memento of her life within us. While catching the petal of the precious sakura is almost impossible, we were lucky that Maya made it easy for us to carry a precious piece of her with us for the rest of our lives. To all who mourn, I know it's a challenging time full of heartache, but I hope that we can all find solace in the fact that our loved ones who have passed are at peace after taking their final journey along this beautiful path. Rest in paradise. 

~:[CH13 - Day 215]:~ Refreshing

 
~:[CH13 - Day 215]:~ Refreshing

It's always one of my favorite days. I don't really recall how it all started, but it has morphed into a day where alumni show up and things get a little messy. While the idea started mainly to create a challenging relay, it's become a game where we protect our watermelons, often unsuccessfully. In the end, we have a watermelon feast and enjoy our final morning practice together. It's amazing how quickly the time flew by, as registration approaches. As while at the end of the practice, we have a cleanup to complete and are walking around a little sticky, the memories of these types of days also sticks in our minds. With the demands of life ever present, I hope that these athletes will be able to remember these moments when life overwhelms them. I hope that they can recall these great moments and remember that they also need to work in a little bit of time to have some fun. While the relay can be laborious at times, when all is said and done, it's one of the many moments that we need to keep ourselves going through life. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, I hope we all can find something a little refreshing to help bring some energy into our lives. Happy Friday!

~:[CH13 - Day 214]:~ Battling Up the Hill

 
~:[CH13 - Day 214]:~ Battling Up the Hill

We tried something new for our afternoon workout and did a hike to the Hollywood sign. It was a change of pace to get a good workout in, while also having some fun. It was a bit grueling in the beginning as the trail itself is already tough to start and the heat made it worse, however, it reminded me of the journeys of life. While at times we coast and cruise along an easy pathway, many times, we find ourselves having to struggle a bit at the start, only to find that things can get a bit easier as you move forward. The cooling winds starting to creep in and the way back to the start was downhill, thus it was enjoyable. Reaching your goal may seem insurmountable at the start, but once you get through the tough initial stages, often times, aside from a few bumps in the road, you'll find it easier to climb to where you want to be. As we closed out the night enjoying the food in Little Tokyo, it was great knowing that we grinded through the challenges and made it to where we wanted to be together.