~:[CH13 - Day 365]:~ Never Hitting Reset

 
~:[CH13 - Day 365]:~ Never Hitting Reset

"Let's start with a new slate." I never thought of the new year as a chance to start over. It's another day in a continuous count in the many we'll face in our lives. I'm not a pessimist. With the many challenging moments of 2024 and prior, I learned, I grew, and I became stronger. Mistakes are bound to be made, but the question always is, did you make changes because of those mistakes. As a child, I remember playing various games on my Nintendo and when I got frustrated because I was about to lose, I hit the reset button. It's true, you can start fresh in life sometimes, but we never really reset back to square one. Our past stays with us, at least what we allow to stay with us or what sticks to us. For some, trauma is attached to what we carry, however, I think the best thing we can do to help ourselves truly change our days ahead is to acknowledge the past, learn from it, and figure out what the best "next steps" will be in our lives. Being a planner, I've always laid out different options and plans in case something didn't quite work out and strangely, I haven't changed. Instead of hitting reset, I find a new path and every time I find a road block, I either find a solution by rolling up my sleeves and getting to work or I jump to the new path and carry with me the many lessons I learned. This past year has been one with a number of lessons I've taken to heart, but it's also left me reeling, trying to catch up with all that I've put on my plate. I've thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many new people and faces from the fans at concerts, the artists themselves, random strangers while traveling, or my precious friends and family. However, at the same time, I also know that scarcity also exists and so as I head forward, I will slowly peel the layers off and find just the right amount to fill in my schedule. Addition by subtraction they say. I've been fine without as many dinners or adventures out aside from work, but I also see that I need to take some time to pay attention to those round me, as I need to find that right balance to keep things in focus. In life, let's not always look for the reset button, but find a way to not deny what we've been through, while also finding our way out of the holes in which we find ourselves from time to time. As I look back, I don't think I gained any additional satisfaction in hitting the reset button. I may have avoided the final result, but I already knew in the back of my mind that it had happened. I wonder what would have changed had I not hit the reset button back then, but seeing as I realized what I did, I think I had enough sense to learn from my experiences and help me as I take a step forward into 2025 today. I am hoping that even if your 2024 weren't the best, you learn from it, grow from it, and take the best parts of it as you head into 2025. For some of us, we're looking for miracles as 2025 comes around and my best word of advice is, keep focused on what you can do in these challenging moments, as sometimes the miracles are focus on what you can control such as making the most of each moment, unifying together in challenging times, or simply enjoying another breath in this world. Life will be sad and painful, but it will also have moments of joy, happiness, smiles and love. Wishing you all the best in 2025. 

~:[CH13 - Day 364]:~ Rewards

 
~:[CH13 - Day 364]:~ Rewards

I was dreading it, but I braved the crowds at Mitsuwa as I gathered the items for New Years. The Japanese markets are always packed around this time of year and although it's not typically my errand, I decided to do it since my mom headed down to San Diego. Luckily, I found a spot pretty quickly and got most of what I needed right away. I found out that I got a thing wrong here and there, but overall, I did a good job. The result? Of course, I rewarded myself with good food. I stopped by Capital Noodle before headed home and enjoyed a delicious meal. It was a great reward for us both before I headed back home to finish up some planning I've been working on. With a delay in progress, it was definitely a workday, but because of it, the reward tasted much better. There will be many things we won't want to do in life, but sometimes when we take those challenges on, rewards like these await us and even when they don't, we take one step closer to where we want to be. Don't be afraid and take on that challenge ahead, no matter how big or small, and seek the rewards that await you for a job well done.

~:[CH13 - Day 363]:~ Simply Satisfying

 
~:[CH13 - Day 363]:~ Simply Satisfying

Without much energy, we've been slowly moving around the house the past few days. Today was even more a priority to stay home with the games on TV all day. So we continued to eat leftovers and just relaxed. I did get some work done, but for the most part, we were able to enjoy our time together. When dinner came around, since we've been eating leftovers a lot, I decided to cook up some gyoza and heat up the kimbap I purchased from Trader Joe's. It was nothing fancy, but it truly was satisfying despite its simplicity. When people think about cooking, they imagine all the extravagant meals they see on TV that chefs whip up, but why does it have to be so fancy, when something so simple can be satisfying. The same goes for life. Why luxuriate with everything in life, when satisfaction can also come in the form of just existing together and enjoying your time together. It's great to have the moments, but sometimes, the answer can be simple.

~:[CH13 - Day 362]:~ Recovery Days

 
~:[CH13 - Day 362]:~ Recovery Days

I didn't leave the house today out of precaution. I was feeling much better after a long sleep, but often, it can regress if you begin pushing right away, so I stayed home. I had to cancel a few plans and just sat round. I watched some games, finished up a few dramas, and then cooked dinner for my dad. It was kind of nice. I don't get very many PJs days and so this was a bit odd for me. Most people thing I travel a lot during the holidays, but often, if I am lazy around the house, it's during this stretch. Why? It's the most expensive time to travel and I pick my travel periods for the cheapest time slots and also because it's family time. I also use it as a time to clean and catch up on things I put off during the start of the year, especially since cross country is over. Tomorrow, I'll focus more on catching up on things I put off, but for the most part, my body and mind feel much better and while i feel like I lost some time, I used the time to do some laundry and a bit of cleaning to offset the guilt. Rest well ya'll!

~:[CH13 - Day 361]:~ Pummeled by Life

 
~:[CH13 - Day 361]:~ Pummeled by Life

Life probably caught up with me a bit. In the morning, I met up with a few alumni and by afternoon, I was already tired. I did a few errands and raced home to join the Pummel Party online. It was fun to play a new game even if I was bad at it. I finished last in many of the mini games, but surprisingly wasn't last overall as I won the Pong matchup. Towards the end of the game, I could feel the exhaustion in my body, so I quickly ate and will head to bed early. Sometimes you don't feel how hard you've been working, but when it's time your body will tell you when to stop. I am listening to my body and will call it a day so that I can be well rested to take on the world again tomorrow. Things in life can wait, but sometimes your body won't. If it's telling you something, listen so that it doesn't come back to pummel you in the end. Good night!

~:[CH13 - Day 360]:~ Down South

 
~:[CH13 - Day 360]:~ Down South

I headed down south to watch the basketball teams play. The schedule worked out so I could watch both teams play. The boys got off to a good start, but fell short in the end. They played the school that three of my cousins attended, which was another reason I picked this game to attend. The girls played further south against the #1 team in the country. It was a tough battle, but they still fought hard until the end and didn't back down from the competition. While I wished for a win, I am always proud to see our teams compete to the end. Even when it's down under a minute, they still never back down and play to give them any chance at coming back or just to finish knowing they gave it their all. In life, we will face challenges we know we cannot win, but when we face up to them versus backing down from them, we'll see what we are truly made of. Even when you lose battles you think you should have won, never get down on yourself and as Aaliyah said, "dust yourself off and try again" and again. I drove back home fairly quickly that evening, a little bit exhausted, but not one ounce of me regretting making that trek. 

~:[CH13 - Day 359]:~ The Great Search

 
~:[CH13 - Day 359]:~ The Great Search

I actually started buying my cards and gifts pretty early this year for my family. As I traveled, I found various things to give to them and put them in a safe place. My safe place, is never safe. After getting home last night, I began my great search for everything I put away. I remembered what I bought (vaguely) and thus, I searched away. I found everything (I thought) and then packed it away to prepare for our gift openings today. As it approached, I kept remembering this and that. Aside from my dad's pillow, I think I remembered everything aside from one gift that hasn't arrived yet, however, we shall see when I clean my room if I forgot anything. It's funny because in most cases when I organize, I actually have a harder time to find things than when I keep things were they are. Of course, when things get piled up, then it gets a little chaotic. Aside from the morning, the remainder of the day was pretty relaxing. I cook soup from the ham bone from last night, I kept track of a few sporting events, and working on the project from this weekend. There obviously is a lot that I need to work on still and a lot of cleaning to do, but at least for today, it was nice to enjoy the chill vibe and soak in the holiday spirit with the family. Hoping you all had a wonderful day full of blessings!

~:[CH13 - Day 358]:~ Wishing You Were Here ...

 
~:[CH13 - Day 358]:~ Wishing You Were Here ...

I was a little sad knowing we would be missing a number of people tonight. A number of things have happened and so a few families or portions of families were unable to make it. I definitely felt their absence, yet still yet, appreciated that I got to see a lot of my family this evening. I always love our family party. Aside from the good food, the fun and activities we have make it quite festive. We changed up a few things to add a few games and it ended up being a nice little twist to the evening. From Santa to Bingo and just being together, I thoroughly enjoyed another evening together, however, still yet, a part of me still was wishing that everyone was there. Regardless, I will treasure these moments shared and will keep those who could not join us this year in my thoughts and prayers, saving them a place in my heart. As while they may not have been physically present, they will still have their presence felt from wherever they were this evening. I look forward until I can see all those who were there tonight and again and hope to see those who weren't soon enough Happy Holidays to you all!

~:[CH13 - Day 357]:~ The Long Road Ahead

 
~:[CH13 - Day 357]:~ The Long Road Ahead

I woke up earlier than planned. I left my normal school alarms on and it woke me up. I ended up getting up and heading downstairs to grab breakfast before wrapping up the prep. It was a long day ahead and even longer since I didn't sleep in. We actually ran ahead of schedule as we started the shoot in the hotel, headed to the Vegas sign, then back up north to the studio. The studio wasn't how I imagined it, but we made it work really well and we were pleased how the shots came out. We passed by a few opportunities to shoot and ended up resting a bit before hitting the boneyard. Although the signs were lit, it ended up being a great spot for this shoot. With our last planned portion of the shoot, we headed to Freemont and took photos there and got delayed since USC arrived for their dinner for the Las Vegas Bowl. It was cool to see the team, but definitely a little troublesome for our timeline. After grabbing a few good shots, we added a little walk down the strip, which we planned out the day before. They ended up coming out well, but it extended our timeline a bit. We rushed to cleanup, grab dinner, and then headed out. It was a long road ahead as we departed past 8pm, however, with no traffic, we ended up arriving back just past midnight. In life you have to decide whether you inconvenience yourself a bit to try to improve what you are working on. It's opportunity cost. Is it worth this extra time and effort? For us, it ended up being worth it. Despite being a bit more tired on the way home, the long road ahead, didn't feel as long as I knew that we had truly knocked this project out of the park. I'm excited to work with what we produced over the next few days as I laid out the plans on the long road home. It was a long day and I was exhausted, but still yet, I knew that it was worth it in the end. 

~:[CH13 - Day 356]:~ Lucky Adventures

 
~:[CH13 - Day 356]:~ Lucky Adventures

What was going to be a one day task turned into two, which allowed us to take our time the first day to prepare for the second. With the extra time, we ate, explored and then planned. It was actually a lot of preparation as we tried to find everything that we needed for tomorrow. However, unexpectedly, we stopped by a small shop and picked up some cards. I gave my friend a pack of 151s and I bought a booster box. I was a little sad as the pack of 151 I gave was a god pack. Quite a valuable gift. I guess it was karma, because I got a few good pulls as well and then later that day, got lucky while playing in the casino. I went up early to finish prepping for tomorrow, but was happy as we truly had a lucky adventure on our first day, which may not have happened had we not extended our timeline to make sure everything went to plan. Only time will tell how successful this project will end up, but at least for today, we had a day full of lucky adventures.

~:[CH13 - Day 355]:~ Good Food, Good Times

 
~:[CH13 - Day 355]:~ Good Food, Good Times

Someone gave me food yesterday and so today, I added to it and piece together this bowl. It was delicious and even tastier knowing the care put into the dish. It was a nice break from the cleaning and prepping for tomorrow's shoot. I spent the day organization and planning, as I reviewed the mood boards, finalized the plans, and picked up a few things I needed. I ended up getting more than I originally planned. As I ventured home, there was a lit of things I wanted to do, but being on break, I put them off until later on and focused on just enjoying the rest of my day. I didn't end up doing much today, but I enjoyed the good food that I ate and just relaxed. Often times, you don't need a fancy vacation or event to make the day special, all you need is just to find a way to remove all the stress and just find a way to allow yourself to relax and today, that's exactly what I did. 

~:[CH13 - Day 354]:~ It's Really a Break

 
~:[CH13 - Day 354]:~ It's Really a Break

We had an early morning meeting. It's not quite the way I wanted to spend this student free day. I didn't have as much time to finish up grading or cleaning, but in life, we need to adapt. Of course, after wrapping up a little later than normal, I enjoyed what truly was a break. I ate lunch, stopped by the mall, then got everything ready for our captain's dinner. It's always nice to celebrate the closing of the year with them. Although they were a little over the top, I couldn't really get upset, as they also were enjoying the break. In life, we all work pretty hard. It's easy to judge if someone is going overboard enjoying their time, of course, you also may never know how large of a load they carry. From school, to multiple sports, to work, to music and more, this group has a loaded plate and still manages to be a leader among the many athletes I work with. They truly deserve this time and deserve to enjoy their moments together. As we wrapped up, we headed our separate ways and said our goodbyes. These goodbyes also signified the end of my responsibilities and the official beginning of my break. No matter how high your to dos and responsibilities are, but sure to take that much needed break to allow yourself to recharge. As while there are things you need to take care of, the first thing you need to take care of, is yourself. That goes for them, for you, and for me. The first question I always get is, where are you going? I did take on a few shoots, which probably violates my break, however, most of my time will be spent cleaning, organization and taking care of all the things I wanted to do, which includes sitting around, doing absolutely nothing. 

~:[CH13 - Day 353]:~ With a View

 

~:[CH13 - Day 353]:~ With a View

I headed out to Sunset after working in the morning and caught a small, intimate performance at a speakeasy. It was a fun event to cover as I listened to a performer I knew and a few others that I had never seen before. It's always great to be there for people you've worked with before as there is a level of comfort when you do so, but it's also always nice to hear new artists and to dive into a new world of music. I was a bit tired from the week, but still yet, it was nice to be out and about, enjoying a new location. The spot was quite small and it was easy to get a good view unlike most of the events I cover. Sometimes in life, there are obstructions that block our view or our window of life doesn't have the view we had hoped for, but sometimes it's the view we were hoping for and more. If this time, you didn't get the view, don't lose hope that you view the next time around will be fabulous. As while at times life feels mundane or even hopeless, you're bound to find that moment that is truly spectacular. Look forward to the day that life gives you that moment with a perfect view. 

~:[CH13 - Day 352]:~ Wrapping It Up

 
~:[CH13 - Day 352]:~ Wrapping It Up

Another day of finals and another day closer to wrapping it up for 2024. As winter break approaches, everyone is getting a bit antsy. You can tell that they are fighting themselves to stay focused for finals, but some of them are already on winter break. Regardless, the finals weren't too bad, as most of them maintained their grades. I ended up using the day to wrap everything up from inputting grades to cleaning up around the room. I know my room is still a mess, but still yet, it's cleaner than it was before. As we look forward to the days ahead, it will get harder and harder to focus, but we'll begin to realize that we only have to tie the ribbon then we've truly wrapped everything up. It's been a hectic whirlwind down the stretch, but nonetheless, we've made it. Let's wrap this up nicely ya'll!

~:[CH13 - Day 351]:~ Warm & Cozy

 
~:[CH13 - Day 351]:~ Warm & Cozy

It's always stressful leading up to finals, but once it arrives, it's actually pretty nice. While I worry about whether my grading camera will scan or not, for the most part, with grading all done, finals is just about wrapping up the grade book and cleaning up before break. I put on my Haikyu!! "sweater"and headed to school. It was great to see my colleagues today, as I caught up with them briefly as we wrapped up 2024. My students seemed to survive this first day of finals and I survived despite getting off to a slow start with grading. After finishing up my first two periods of grades, I headed home to wrap up a few more grades for my other classes, then just sat back and rested a bit. As I did, I realized how busy the past few months have been and how long it was been since I've been able to do this. Outside, I'm sure this winter evening was a bit chilly, but inside, I had my feet up, my blanket on, as I sat carefree, waiting to wrap up another day as we approach the break. I sometimes forget what a lazy day feels like, but because of it, I truly appreciate these types of days even more. I hope that you all have a number of warm and cozy days ahead as we head into the holidays. May your days be filled with many memories of great joy! 

~:[CH13 - Day 350]:~ Vibin'

 
~:[CH13 - Day 350]:~ Vibin'

It was the last day before finals and we were vibin'. After reviewing through the day, we ended the day with a lunch holiday concert in my classroom. It was nice to have people gathered to destress a bit before finals. After finishing up my edits from my shoot yesterday, I headed out to head to the game with my friend. The Clippers were rolling as they scored over 80 at the half and ended with 144. It was definitely a joy to be there for such a great game and just relax as I head into finals. On the ride back, it was cool to listen to his new album he's going to release this week. The beats were a perfect way to end a day full of great energy and flow. There will be tough days, but there will also be days that are vibin' and when they come, thoroughly enjoy them, as each of these days are precious. I hope that each of us find our vibe and flow in life, as it leads to some of the best moments in life.

~:[CH13 - Day 349]:~ Finding Rhythm

 
~:[CH13 - Day 349]:~ Finding Rhythm

At the start, we weren't quite in sync. We get along just fine as we've known each other for awhile, but with this being our first photoshoot, I could feel the awkwardness when we began. However, as the shoot went on, we both found a rhythm and the rest is history. While I want to show off the whole album, I can't. However, what we produced today was a series of beautiful photos that captured the exact feel that we were aiming form. Often times, we aren't in sync with those around us or as we head down a particular path. It doesn't mean it won't work out. Life is about finding a rhythm and that doesn't always happen from the start. While it may take a bit of work, once you find a place where you both can find harmony, what you create will be beautiful. After a few laughs, we found a flow and wrapped up our shoot nicely. I am excited to see what the final product will look like, but regardless, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to collaborate with an artist who I've always appreciated and respected. Aside from her beautiful music, she's always been a kind and generous soul, which is one reason why it wasn't too hard to eventually find a rhythm. Be perseverant, but also surround yourself with the right people who you can truly vibe with.

~:[CH13 - Day 348]:~ How the Ball Bounces

 
~:[CH13 - Day 348]:~ How the Ball Bounces

I carved out the day to grade all day as I've been so overwhelmed, I fell behind a bit. However, before I got to it, an alum messaged me and we decided to meet up in the morning, as he was back in town. A few of us hit the course and enjoyed just catching up. Of course, there was something to celebrate as he was able to hit a hole-in-one as the ball bounced off the slope and rolled in dramatically. It was definitely cool to be there for such a great moment. In life, that's how things play out. Sometimes, when we least expect it, something amazing happens. Even in this case, initially, we didn't even thing that it would be a hole-in-one, but with the right bounce, it became just that. Life is the same way. Sometimes, it may not seem like we have a chance at something, but we'll never know until it plays out. Sometimes we have everything in line and it doesn't work out while sometimes when we least expect it, it works out. That's just how life is, but it also means, we should never give up. Give yourself a chance in life and see how the ball bounces. Sometimes, it will bounce in your favor and sometimes it won't, but you'll never know if you don't give it a shot. Today, the ball bounced just perfectly for him and one day, it will be my turn or yours. As I headed back home, I got back to the grind and wrapped up my grading, excitingly doing the last few tasks before calling it a night. As I thought back to the day, I smiled knowing that I was there for that special moment, as I saw just what happens when the ball bounces our way.

~:[CH13 - Day 347]:~ Santa!

 
~:[CH13 - Day 347]:~ Santa!

We got a surprise visit from Santa in our classrooms today. It was nice to see our students greeted and help get them into the holiday spirit. While it's been a bit crazy as of late, things began settling down and I was able to enjoy this moment a bit. As we wrapped up our final FULL week before break, I stopped by the school to watch their performance collaborating the the elementary and middle schools! It was a cute production and added to the holiday theme we were enjoying. As I cruise into the weekend, I will appreciate the time that I have to finally catch up on things I need to do. While I will not be doing anything spectacular, it will feel good to get work done and that in itself is truly a gift I can appreciate.

~:[CH13 - Day 346]:~ Do Something Different

 
~:[CH13 - Day 346]:~ Do Something Different

Do you want to sing? Do you want to dance? Many won't do either because they're too afraid. They worry that they're not good at it, so why do it? As we wrap up our season, we always have our dance unit where the athletes meet a few times after the season and design a dance. It started way back when, as a few of our student taught the whole class a single dance. It morphed into what we have to today, the Ohana Dance Battle. I always enjoy watching them figure it out, especially the groups that never dance. They may not have the most spectacular routines, but it's nice to see them make the effort. In my class, we also had our Star Spangled Banner test as our seniors either recited it or sang it. Many opted to sing it. Whether or not you're good at something, if you want to do it, then give it a shot. You suck at it? Great. As one of my seniors said last night, it's even a greater reason to do it, as it teaches you a lot more than living a life where everything is just easy. Do something challenging; do something different. Routine is nice for efficiency, but in order for us to fully soak in life, we need to truly challenge ourselves and put ourselves out there. Whatever it is in your life that you've wanted to do or try, do it. It doesn't matter how good you are at it or what other people thing, if that desire is within you, go after it. Life is often a cycle of doing things we're used to and improving on it, but why not do something different and even if we're bad at it, just do it. As we wrapped up our dances, I was happy to see such a large group come out and support our underclassmen and proud of all the athletes for their performances. I was impressed thoroughly and am glad that they all put themselves out there and tried something different.

~:[CH13 - Day 345]:~ Our Power

 
~:[CH13 - Day 345]:~ Our Power

I had an issue with my export, but I figured it out. I forgot my HDMI cable, but I had enough time to grab it before the banquet started. One of my shipments never arrived, but the other one did. How do you view these things? Today, I figured out how to fix my exporting error, grabbed the HDMI cable in time and got one of my packages or would your quote be the opposite? As I heard my seniors speak tonight, I heard the typical speech about how they didn't necessarily like running. There are some who love it, but a good portion of them don't, still yet, I had a group this large of three to four year seniors who stuck around until their final year. Their power was in seeing the good the came out of the experience. Some speeches talked about getting up every day even when you've been struggling, others about still going to practice despite dreading the workout ahead, while others talking about how they've created bonds and memories they'll never forget. Instead of seeing what you didn't like about the experience, our power is focusing in on what we gained along the way. I faced a number of challenges while preparing for this banquet, but when I look back on tonight, I'll forget many of the struggles and remember the smiling faces, the memories created because of it, and the pure joy gained through this evening. Our power is in seeing what inspires us to keep moving forward and keep working, rather than being dragged down by what is trying to take us down. I've faced a lot of obstacles over the course of 2024, some which still linger today, but still yet, I'll do my best to look forward and use my power to catapult me forward instead of allowing life to drag me down. The insight of the seniors who spoke today was enlightening even for me and I hope that the underclassmen listened carefully, as their opportunity to step in their shoes will come up sooner than they could ever imagine. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I have been given to work with these young adults and no matter the time it takes and the struggles I face because of it, when I arrive at moments like today, I am reminded why it's all worth it in the end. 

~:[Day 344]:~ The Final Few Steps

 
~:[Day 344]:~ The Final Few Steps

When you're hiking a difficult trail or finishing a project you are working on, isn't it a great feeling when you find those final few steps. As I wrap up this and that with my checklist getting shorter, I was not quite 100% with everything I produced, still yet, I was happy that I finished it all. Sadly, a few of my packages were delayed and lost in the matrix since our school requires delivery to our school and it closes at 4:30pm. For three days straight it was sent back. However, I am figuring things out and trying to find a way to finish everything out. I guess it's kind of like when your muscles are cramping or you're completely wiped trying to get that final push in. Things will go wrong in life and the challenges you'll face will be many, but once you get to those final few steps, you'll realize how accomplished you feel. Even if those final few steps are the most difficult, they will also become the most satisfying. As I wrapped everything up, I finally shared the cover for our banquet program. It was beautifully printed by our graphics department which made it look exactly how I designed it. As I close out the chapter of this cross country season I was happy that these final few steps went fairly smoothly despite a few mishaps. In everything I do, I will appreciate that I even have an opportunity to find my way to these final few steps and relish that moments when I take that final step across that finish line. The end is near. :)

~:[CH13 - Day 343]:~ A Perfect Match

 

~:[CH13 - Day 343]:~ A Perfect Match

Editing away, I was thinking what do I eat. The perfect answer was pork chops. Strangely, pork chops take me back to the Brady Bunch when Alice says, "pork chops and apple sauce." I've always enjoyed pork chops, probably because of the gravy, but the contrast with the corn, goes perfectly. Additionally, I added some Japanese pepper (sansho) to it for the perfect mix. As I was editing, it was the perfect match to satisfy my hunger as I wrapped up my preparations for banquet. I've barely got any rest, but this re-energized me and allowed me to keep going as I close in on the deadline. When is the last time you found the perfect match for your mood?

~:[CH13 - Day 342]:~ Absolutely (Not)

 
~:[CH13 - Day 342]:~ Absolutely (Not)

It's my "no" zone timeframe where I turn down most things. From photoshoots to events, I will typically say no if it falls during the few days before banquet. As I focus in on final cut, I focus everything else out. However, when I found out that Hina was back in town from Japan for an event, I told her that I would go when she let me know she was performing. I planned accordingly and woke up early to start editing to make up for the lost time, finished what I needed to before heading out and went to the event. I realized that I probably could have left about 30-45 minutes later, but it was nice to be on time and I found some other banquet work I could do while waiting. There were a lot of great performances and it was nice to catch up, although my limited Japanese and her limited English made it a bit challenging, though we found a way. While I wanted to stay through the whole event, I said my goodbyes and then headed back home to get back to editing. As I rendered, I quickly sorted through the footage and pieced together the deliverables for the event, which helped me keep focus on the editing I needed to complete for banquet. When I think about my students, I always say, use the things you enjoy as a reward (gaming, TikTok, etc.) for when you've accomplished what you need to do. I guess it's not something I just encourage, but also something I implement for my own self. I wrapped up my editing exactly where I needed to be despite the "break" and see the finish line in the distance. Although I would be cruising if I said not to this event, just with a little extra planning and effort, I was able to say yes, without a setback. While at times, you need to say no, when you really want to do something, take some time to see if you can find a way, just like I did today.

~:[CH13 - Day 341]:~ Sunrise to Sunset

 
~:[CH13 - Day 341]:~ Sunrise to Sunset

I woke up in the morning and it was still dark as I headed to school to catch the bus on a Saturday. Over 100 other students joined me. I've grown to appreciate the time and effort that these students given. Even though it's heartbreaking to see their faces if they don't win an award or even when they are too shy to speak up, you give them credit for even showing up. Of course, it's a joy when you see that quiet delegate give a comment or their faces light up when their name is called for an award. As while many others are still resting in bed, enjoying the sun at a park, or enjoying a lunch at a restaurant, I don't think about what I lost by being here, rather that it's worth it, especially because they've made the same effort. I hope others around them appreciate the amount of work that these students put in day after day whether participating in a conference, athletics, arts, or more. I hope that when we see this effort they put in, we are willing to step up and put in the same amount of work as the do and understand them a bit more, as when you look at it, they truly have a lot on their plate. It took a little bit before I got motivated to get back on the editing computer to wrap up the next stage of the video, but I thought of my students who spent all day with me at the conference and realized that in the end, it would be worth it to grind through this to ensure that everything turned out the way it should have. A huge shoutout to those students who go the extra mile, spending so much of their "free time" representing their schools and improving themselves in the process.

~:[CH13 - Day 340]:~ FF & Slow-Mo

 
~:[CH13 - Day 340]:~ FF & Slow-Mo

Half way done, I wish I could hit slow-mo so I would have more time to finish this up. Of course, the clock of life never stops. It keeps ticking and with each second, we lose one. I often catch myself saying I want to fast forward through this or slow things down, but would it truly make us happier? Would fast forwarding through the mundane moments of our life lead to us missing a slight variation that made our day? Would slowing things down just mean more time to procrastinate? Live in the moment and make each second count. Don't waste your time on things that don't deserve your attention. Allow others to waste their time, while you invest your time on the things that matter to you. Those who are worthwhile will either appreciate how you've spent your time or may even join in on these special moments. Even though we can't control times, many of times, those precious moments are given away too easily and I hope that we take the time to cherish them. As I scroll back through all the moments of this past summer and fall, I smile appreciating these moments as I've been able to find my own rewind button of life to scroll back and enjoy these precious moments one more time. As I do, even more so, do I see how precious each of these seconds are and thus, I will make sure that they don't go to waste. 

~:[CH13 - Day 339]:~ The Final Knot

 
~:[CH13 - Day 339]:~ The Final Knot

There's something refreshing when you finish tying your shoe. You're now able to move forward without worry. As I wrap up different parts of the video as I prepare for banquet, each step feels like another knot that will help secure me towards the finish line ahead. Submitting the program or next order, completing the next montage, or figuring out that I wrapped up another minute or two of video, it feels refreshing as I go. As while I know that the tech issues lie ahead that will slow my progress, for now, I cruised on through as I wrapped up 1/3 of the video and did the last of my orders for the banquet. As I think about what I forgot, I also think about the final knot that I will tie on the night of the banquet, finally releasing the load off my back, for now. It's a joy to piece this all together, but just like piecing together a puzzle, it's a laborious process and you truly have to have the drive to finish it up, especially when it's challenging. Even if I fail and some tech issue stops me from doing everything I want, at least I know I did all I could to make this the best event possible. Think about each step as tying a knot and know that with each step, you're one step closer to tying that final knot for this stage. Best of luck to you on your journey.

~:[CH13 - Day 338]:~ The Window to the Soul

 
~:[CH13 - Day 338]:~ The Window to the Soul

Without a single decibel of noise, I can sense the scene outside. As I opened the window to provide some light as I edited the cross country video, I enjoyed the beautiful view that I would soon enjoy. I thought to myself, it'll be a beautiful day out. It was. It made me think about the window to our souls. What is it that we show off to the world as they open the curtain and look towards us? Are we the people we wish to be or have we become something we vowed we'd never be. As I peered out at the blue sky, I thought, I want to feel like this and I want to be like this. The weather will do its best to cloud that vision to our soul and the question is, do we allow it to overtake us or do we do what we can to just let it pass. After a stressful night, it was a nice relief as while I was working, I was comforted in thinking about where I wanted to go from here. The welcoming view paralleled the welcoming sight out the widow as I peered out the window in Los Angeles and quickly headed to work. As I sat down, I tried to be welcoming, although fatigued, knowing that I wanted my window to be clear. As while it may be easy for our judgement to be clouded, I hope that we stay focused on our own window and do what we can to clear out what we can, especially when we've realized just how we've changed. It's easy to veer off path, but it also isn't too difficult to clear up the view so that when people look at us, they see the person we aim to be and the only way to do that is to clear out all that blocks the beautiful view.

~:[CH13 - Day 337]:~ Aura

 
~:[CH13 - Day 337]:~ Aura

I had two meetings today before wrapping up the final ends to our project for this round. I ventured out to Omiya after the first and had lunch with my friend before rushing back to Shinjuku for a nice closing dinner. It was a cool little spot with lots of energy. One of the waiters was a musician and I might end up covering one of his events in the future. Overall though, the people I was surrounded by today had a wonderful aura. It's motivating and encouraging. With distance, you get a better view of your aura and energy and helps you see if you're giving off the aura you want to. As I've said before, surround yourself with that aura and energy and separate yourself from that which impacts it. You can rid yourself of it all, but you can do a little housekeeping. I kept working to prepare for the banquet and events ahead, as my final hours ticked away. An unwanted obstacle popped up as I was wrapping up, but I figured out what I could and left the stress of it all for another day. I'll figure it out later and keep these positive vibes around me to protect me from the challenges that await. 

~:[CH13 - Day 336]:~ A Second to Reflect

 
~:[CH13 - Day 336]:~ A Second to Reflect

I headed out to Tachikawa and enjoyed the late stages of the fall foilage. As I saw the bare trees next to the full yellow ginkos, I pictured the crowds that gathered around these very trees just over a week ago. As time passes, our leaves our shed and we look different than we were before. However, if we focused on our core, our true beauty will never fade. As while with the changing seasons, the crowds will return, we will never be ignored if we focus on our roots. Be someone who others look towards no matter the season, but also find people who will be with you through any season, not just when you're in your peak season. As the crowds were thin, it was enjoyable to wander around and soak in the park, as I missed much of it last time as I tried avoiding the crowds. As I took a second to reflect, I knew that when I returned, I'll be that person who sticks around even when the peak seasons have passed, making sure those around me are never lonely. As while it may not seem as the peak season, these are the times where the truest memories and connections are made. 

~:[CH13 - Day 335]:~ Up Until Yawn

 
~:[CH13 - Day 335]:~ Up Until Yawn

While it's one of the shadier areas of Japan, Kabukicho is a fun place to take photos especially at this infamous spot right at the entrance sign. The line of bright suns light up the active street that stays open until late. One time, my main hotel was all booked up and I decided to try a hotel which happened to be in the area. Knowing it was in an open plaza, I felt it would be okay, little did I realize how late everything stayed open as the billboard blasted until late at night. Regardess, after a few meetings and shoots, I enjoyed wandering with my friend anf shooting night shots in the area.  I started yawning, exhausted from work today, but still yet, pushed through as we ventured to Shibuya before parting ways. I was excitingly heading home, ready to hit the pillow, but I definitely am glad I pushed through and lasted to my final yawn. Life is always an opportunity to explore and so when you are able, make the most of the day, from morning to final yawn.