~:[CH14 - Day 151]:~ Reconnecting

 

~:[CH14 - Day 151]:~ Reconnecting 

I always hit the ground running, but not quite like this. Right after clearing customs, I checked in my bags and headed upstairs to the Tiat Sky Hall. I was a little late due to a few mishaps, but overall, I lucked out with the schedule and was at the event 40 minutes after landing. My voice somehow disappeared as I tried to talk, but I sounded like a croaker. It was funny as we laughed and chatted about the performance briefly before I stopped off at Yoshinoya next door to get some food, including the water and soup my throat needed. Strangely enough, my voice returned immediately after I got to my place, but I think that moment was quite memorable. It was cool to reconnect with Kevin, but even cooler that he got to reconnect with his U-Kiss members. In life, we often form special bonds with people. Life has a way of separating us sometimes, but at other times, it finds a way to reconnect us as it make us all feel more special about the bonds we have. On stage, you could sense those amazing moments and they truly touched your heart as you watched them reconnect. I hope to have many moments when I reconnect with those who I have lost touch with. Many times, I yearn to see people, but my schedule gets in the way. Hopefully, with some adjustments, my ability to do so will increase and I can get the same feeling I witnessed tonight. 

~:[CH14 - Day 150]:~ And Just Like That ...

~:[CH14 - Day 150]:~ And Just Like That ...

Just like that, the school year was over in a blink of an eye. Of course, there were a few obstacles on the way to the finish line as the new check out procedure almost made me late to my last meetings and also had me locked in the school for a bit since they took our keys this year. Although it was one last jab I had to take, I made it out the door. One hundred percent, this felt like it was the busiest year, as I can't think of too much downtime, mostly by choice. As the years go by, they seem to go by faster and before you know it, it's over. For a handful of my colleagues and friends, they finally reached the finale as they are retiring. I am sad to see them go as I have a lot of special bonds with those who are leaving. From MUN trips to cross country race to other school events, the memories created are massive. I guess today was a reminder to treasure each moment we have as we never know how things will turn out. As I leave my classroom, I look forward to stepping back into the room, but the reality of life is, you can never predict what's ahead. Soak in each moment as if it was the last as even when you expect tomorrow, next year or beyond, we just never know. Treasure the people around you and the time you have in this beautiful world. 
 As I said my final messages as we began planning for next year, I wonder what the future entails for us all. Regardless, I only hope that our future is filled with moments we can appreciate, as to those around me, you deserve nothing less. Welcome summer 2025.

~:[CH14 - Day 149]:~ Attempting to Slay the Day

 
~:[CH14 - Day 149]:~ Attempting to Slay the Day

I wasn't looking forward to today as it was a monster of a day. After getting some work done in the morning, I headed over to run some errands including the DMV, completed a photoshoot, cleaning (the biggest challenge of them all), and then wrapping up the school year and prepping for what's ahead. From transferring, organizing, and just figuring things out, I ended up getting everything done, making feel like I forgot something. Tomorrow, I will really know if I slayed the day, but for now, I truly feel like I did. With only some cleaning to do tomorrow, I hope that I can wrap everything up nicely so I can head into the summer only working about the events ahead. 

~:[CH14 - Day 148]:~ Unmasked

 
~:[CH14 - Day 148]:~ Unmasked

This freshman class started with their masks on as they returned to school. Awkward trying to figure out who each person was, they slowly created bonds overtime and became a class who unified together to overcome the challenges they faced as they transitioned back to a more normal lifestyle. The seniors this year accomplished a lot from delegation awards to league/CIF titles to an array of college acceptances. They all had their struggles, yet together, they guided each other to this very night, celebrating as the fireworks were displayed overhead. There will be a treasure trove of memories I've had with these seniors, but I still am excited to see the many memories they make as they move forward into the future. I wonder if the world is ready for this group of seniors who are destined for great things, as while they may have begun behind the confines of a mask, all of what they can do will be on display, as they shed away all those things that hide who they are from the world. As while I will be proud of what they decide to do with their lives, I will be most proud of them if they are able to truly be themselves, loving what they do, and living a life that is comfortable and fully of joy. As while they stumbled into high school, they left her leaping to the next stage in life. Congratulations Class of 2025!

~:[CH14 - Day 147]:~ Aiming To Be Better

 
~:[CH14 - Day 147]:~ Aiming To Be Better

I'm not a procrastinator, but I'll be better ... next year. As the year wraps up, the chaos of deadlines looms. I didn't procrastinate, yet I still feel the stress of the deadline. Still yet, despite everything, I have to remember to be better, daily. I wanted today to be an uneventful day, but it was just the opposite. I remembered everything, which was a win, but just as I stepped out of my car, the cooler unloaded, hooked onto my pant button and ripped it off. I might have been okay had I remembered my belt, but I didn't. The pants were a bit looser on me, thus as this happened, I began to sag. I needed a solution, so the MacGyver in me, found a keychain, looped in the hole and the connected it to the other end. It held, slightly. It was embarrassing to roll the coolers while holding up my pants, then to my classroom, using the proclamation to mask that I was holding my pants together by what felt like a thread. That's just it. A stressor was put on the button, but had the button held on or the thread stayed in place, all would have been good. I am not blaming the button at all, because in all situations, the button's hopes were dashed, but isn't that also us? No matter our job, we can do well in our role, but we can also be better, especially when things are challenging and the stress puts us to the test. Being more patient or understanding with a student is just one of the ways. I am a firm believer in holding students accountable, but as I aim to be better, I also need to keep my mind open to make sure I've done what I could to help a student. In chatting over a meal this weekend, we were talking about how a few singular moments in someone's life scarred them as they went forward. I think we have to keep that in mind every time we are deciding how to react. Let's pause briefly and think, is it every worth it to get agitated, is it that hard to just do a little more work, or how do I hang on by that thread to make sure I do my job. Sure, we need to take care of ourselves or to hold our ground in some cases, but at other times, we can be that button in the moment of truth to hold on for dear life to avoid ruining the day or even life of someone we come across. As I ponder over this discussion during the break, I will use it to remind myself to find a way to be better. I will figure out a way to better secure myself so I can hold on when life puts its weight down on me. Things are definitely frustrating at times, but I can be better and overcome it and not allow it to drag me down to a place I want to avoid. Just like I always want to distance myself from the negative auras, I need to keep myself distanced from the cycle of frustrations into moments of opportunity. Let's build bridges instead of destroying them and instead of adding another scar, let's hand over a bandage. Today, I realized how blessed I was with so many wonderful people taking the time to send their wishes (which I am forever grateful), but today I also realized that I can make sure I be that same light to others when they truly need it. Not for those who are in the spotlight and not even always for those who fall behind, but for everyone, especially those in the middle who are often overlooked. Day by day, I'll focus on improvement and find a way to be better. As a new cycle around the sun begins in my own life, I'll aim to improve each step of the way. Thank you again to all of you for making my life here on this earth amazing. 

As a side note, I did sew it back on myself today.

~:[CH14 - Day 146]:~ No Time To Waste

 
~:[CH14 - Day 146]:~ No Time To Waste

I'm pretty good at laying out my schedule. Like a puzzle, I fit each piece together to figure out how to lay everything out to make it work. Sometimes, I have a few pieces I wasn't expecting at the puzzle becomes a little more tricky. The past ten days has been quite the puzzle. As I am already layout my schedule for the next two months, I have been trying to clean and prep before I depart, but I didn't leave enough space in my schedule to do so. It means the next few days will be quite chaotic, but still yet, maybe it will help make me more efficient. With a backlog of photos, I cleared out that list this weekend, posting album after album. While there still are a few more to go, all the ones with deadlines were wrapped up nicely. With the commissions completed, I was planning to squeeze in another one in the morning, which ended up begin canceled. Finally, a little space or so I thought. I moved my lunch up a little bit and enjoy time catching up, before heading back to my computer to get started on the newer albums with later deadlines. In the middle of processing, I took a short nap, before heading out to the Source for another planned meetup. It was one of my last meet ups before I head out, as with events, planning, and cleaning, my schedule was left with no time to waste. As I headed home, I realized just how much more I had to do, as I sat down and got the biggest task out of the way, before prepping the final, and then finalizing grades for my first two classes tomorrow. It took the entire day, but I efficiently made use of the time to complete what I had to get done just in the nick of time. I will be glad when my day has no deadlines (although there are only a few ahead like that), but for now, I also love the feeling of accomplishment when a task is finally done and things are all wrapped up. With just a few more things to take care of, the next few days should ease up just a bit more, still yet, I'll be sure to check that list to ensure I don't waste any time I need in this final stretch. Summer is almost here ... let's go!

~:[CH14 - Day 145]:~ The People We Meet

 
~:[CH14 - Day 145]:~ The People We Meet

I did a blog awhile back about the people that we meet along our journey in life. It's incredible the different types of people we meet and how they influence your life. With photography, I've expanded my horizons and the number of people I've been able to meet. In the morning, I met with a streamer and had a quick drink as we chatted about this and that. Before I knew it, I had to take off to downtown for my shoot with a cosplayer who is from Indonesia. The shoot turned out fabulous and ultimate, together, we created some beautiful art. In life, the art pieces we create together can become masterpieces. With the right energy and the right timing, our connections will help catapult us to places we never knew we could get to. I never would have imagined I could spend so many weeks touring around in Asia, meeting person after person because of that very camera that I picked up so long ago. I was always fascinated with cameras, but never knew just how many people it would lead me to in my future. All of us have that ability. We have something in our lives that can help us thrive, help us stand out, or help us make connections, we just need to discover it and allow it to guide us to those people who will help us create those masterpieces in our lives. The canvas is waiting for the piece that the collaborations will yield, we just have to make sure that we make the most out of every opportunity. Keep an open mind and an open heart as you journey forward in life and keep a look out for those very people who will help be a part of your journey, who can help uplift you while you help uplift them. While some will weigh you down, leeching off you at every given opportunity, there will be many who you will meet that will be just what you needed at just the right time. Luckily, I've crossed paths with so many of these people at the right time and I only hope that you all are just as lucky. Journey on! 

~:[CH14 - Day 144]:~ Never Ever Give Up

 

~:[CH14 - Day 144]:~ Never Ever Give Up

I think it's often the case that Winston Churchill immortalized the quote, "never give up." It's a fun story to hear even if he wasn't the originator of the quote. However, that quote is 100% the truth in life. You never know what you can do. In the recent NBA playoffs, that idea has been quite evident as a number of leads evaporated. In high school sports, it usually doesn't happen, but it can. After a morning of cooking and doing work, I was able to catch the game. It was a little discouraging as the team fell behind and it looked like West Ranch might run away with it, but in the final inning, our athletes never gave up. They scored run after run and closed the lead down to two runs (7-9). The Dons battled and even loaded the bases with two outs. Sadly, the swing did not make contact and the team lost the game, but they did not lose at all. They never gave up and that was a victory in itself. In life, there are situations that seem hopeless, but we never truly know if we can actually pull something off. Today, the girls attempted it and were a hit away from making it happen despite all odds. In our future, we may actually find that break through and find success. Instead of just saying Never give up, we should think, "never, never, never, never give up." Keep pushing and give yourself an opportunity at victory and at the end if you fall short, at least you know you gave it your all. I am so proud of our team. As I worked and wrapped up the piles of work I had left to do, I was in a joyous state, as while I was sad that we lost, I was happy about how they finished it off, giving every last ounce they had. There's not much more you can ask for from people and when people do just that, you can't help it but be overjoyed. Sure, it would have been better if they had won, but the reality is, we can't always get what we want, but even so, we can always make sure we know we did all we could to achieve what we were aiming for. Congrats on an amazing season!

~:[CH14 - Day 143]:~ How Time Flies

 
~:[CH14 - Day 143]:~ How Time Flies

It's amazing how time quickly flies by. It was only yesterday that these two were little babies. Watching them grow has been a pleasure. With one, I've been able to experience years of sports and MUN, watching him mature and grow in the process. The other will be joining me at Cerritos next year, but we already had an adventure at MAMA. I guess when you think about it, everyone goes through this process of be in awe of how quickly time flies and things change. In a blink of an eye, a tiny tike becomes an adult and an adult becomes a grandparent. Treasure each moment and be sure to not let time fly too quickly! I was happy to capture these moments and many others over the years and look forward to the many memories that await us all in the future.

~:[CH14 - Day 142]:~ The Icing on the Cake

 
~:[CH14 - Day 142]:~ The Icing on the Cake

A few months after they won two delegation awards in New York, the junior MUN team was recognized by the city council for their amazing efforts. I have attended this meeting annually, but every time, I am glad that we were able to attend. While it may seem repetitious for those who've seen us before, each year, we take a different group of students who must complete the months of preparation, collect the hundred of documents, write the hundreds of pages of papers as a group, and who have to go into the conference to perform at a high level. Each of these groups deserves this opportunity to be recognized. It was great to have most of the team show up, before we headed to dinner that evening. It was my last event I had to organize and plan for the year and truly, I felt like I could enjoy the evening a bit more. I felt the weight on my shoulders being lifted and when I got home, there wasn't something I "had" to do, rather, I just tried my best to sort through all the photos and upload them. It ended up that my eyelids were too heavy and I allowed myself to go to bed. Tonight may have been another event that I didn't need to hold, but in reality, it would just have meant that I had a cake, but didn't take the time to add the icing. Celebrate your victories and take the time out to appreciate your own efforts and the efforts of others. As while it may seem commonplace that you've found success in one area or another, each of your accomplishments deserves to be celebrated and recognized. I am grateful for a city who is supportive of this idea and welcomes us time after time, as they understand the work that these students put in. Thank you again to all the juniors who put in all their energy into this process and I am glad that all they were rewarded for all the effort they put in at the very end. 

~:[CH14 - Day 141]:~ Relax? Not Quite Yet!

 
~:[CH14 - Day 141]:~ Relax? Not Quite Yet!

Last night, someone said, "I hope you can relax now." I chuckled thinking, "not quite yet." After going home from the banquet, I got to the computer and started finalizing everything for the track banquet, which was today. Yes, I must be crazy for having the track banquet right after the MUN banquet. Not quite. With APs running until last week and finals next week, this was the only week to have the banquet. With an event tomorrow and senior grad bash happening as well, there really were no other realistic options. Regardless, we made it happen. We laid out the pile of awards, which seemed like the most we've ever given out, and ended up with a smooth evening filled with celebrations, laughter, tears and more. This year, I had such a large and impactful senior class and it was great to hear them all speak. While some went over their time limits, I was glad to hear them say their final goodbyes along with them pleading for me to cancel the final for the MUN seniors tomorrow. It's always a great year when you have a coaching staff you can trust. Although we had moments that were challenging, everyone did their part to handle each and every situation, as they kept everything under control until the very end. By night's end, I was excited that I was finished with my last banquet, but I still had a number of things to finish for tomorrow when I got home. Soon enough, that sigh of relief will come, but for now, it's not quite time to relax, as I must stay focused until I cross that finish line. Wish me luck!

~:[CH14 - Day 140]:~ Sleepless Nights

 
~:[CH14 - Day 140]:~ Sleepless Nights

With the power outage last night, it meant that I would get a little less sleep. I set an alarm to wake up when the power was projected to come on and when I woke up, I was able to get the work. Although I did get to sleep a bit, I am the type of person who cannot sleep well unless everything is finished before I got to sleep. Regardless, I had enough energy to make it through the day, as I wrapped up the senior letters, I began finished up the track banquet prep, then headed back to school for the banquet. By night's end, I smiled knowing that I had survived. With all the delays and setbacks, I had a few less hours to sleep the past few weeks, but still yet, those hours of struggle paid off. To see the smile on the faces of those who attended and even to be thanked for putting together the video, all the effort feels like it was an investment, rather than time spent. For the things we love, we're willing to put in those long hours and sleepless nights. Appreciation brings motivation and I hope that in our lives, we can all appreciate the work that others put in, so they can stay motivated to work harder. My MUN students are some of the hardest working students in the school. As I hear about all the school they got accepted to from Stanford to Carnegie Melon and all the UCs among others, I think about all the work that they've put in over the years and how, taking the time to appreciate them is something that I know can keep them going as well. As easy as it could be to just let this opportunity pass on by, the banquet is my final "thank you" to the senior and all the students in the program, in appreciation of all their sleepless nights as well. 

~:[CH14 - Day 139]:~ Even When Disaster Strikes

 
~:[CH14 - Day 139]:~ Even When Disaster Strikes

It was the worst case scenario. I got a lot of work done through the day and was on pace for an early finish. I came home and got straight to editing and was down to my final song. Poof. The lights went out. We've had this before so I figured in an hour or two, things would be back to normal, seven hours later, it was still the same. I gave up and headed to bed after doing a few tasks I could do without any electricity. It was a bit overwhelming as I sat in the dark eating chili from a can. It felt a bit apocalyptic as I was eating canned food in the dark. I ranted a bit, then did some editing on a project I was planning to do later to keep my mind off of things. I seat my alarm for 3am and then headed to bed. I was hoping that things would work on out in the end, but when disaster strikes, you just make due. I figured out a plan for what to do in case I couldn't finish and then I went to bed, knowing I just had to wait it out. The timing couldn't have been any worse, as it was the day before the banquet, but there's really nothing that I could do, but wait. When disaster strikes, do what you can and after that, just pray and hope that things will work out or someone can help you make it through. I was happy to have so many people offer their help to me. I ended up declining every offer, but glad to know the support circles I have around me. As I ponder if I'll be able to get everything done, I'll go to sleep without the anxiety as I've already accepted the fact that there is only so much I can do. Let fate decide what lies ahead tomorrow and beyond. 

~:[CH14 - Day 138]:~ Taxing, Yet Fulfilling

 
~:[CH14 - Day 138]:~ Taxing, Yet Fulfilling

Banquet prep paralleled my day today; taxing, yet fulfilling. I love putting on a banquet for the students, as they deserve to be celebrated for all of their hard work, but I have to say, it's a pain to put on. especially when they are back-to-back. With school ending in May now, it gives us a very small window between APs and finals to host an event and thus, they're crunched together. I've been prepping for the past few weeks, organizing files, ordering and planning. I've always thought of my job as an event planner, as at least once a month, there is some kind of event going on. If I had to go back and do it all over again, I may have rethought my schedule today. With what I had to do for the banquets, I should have kept a lighter Sunday schedule as I was a little ambitious on what I thought I could finish on Saturday. With tech delays and other issues, my workload was a lot heavier than anticipated. After Japanese class, I wrapped up a few edits, then headed to the first performance of the day. It was a little nostalgic being in the Westminster Mall, but sad at the same time, seeing what it had become. It was cool that it was being used for something like this, as the mall was packed and buzzing. After a great performance, I rushed home and edited for about an hour, before heading to Long Beach for my second event. It was cool to see the young talent perform along with a family band to wrap it up. I'll be connecting with them again at an event in Japan, thus I decided to cover this event as well. I thought about staying home, but glad that I didn't despite the time that I spent. I headed home and got right to editing. My body was tired and I didn't quite get to where I wanted to be, but all the time I put in today was worth it. It was worth it to do all the work to put on a good event and it was worth it to take the time to capture some wonderful moments. Next week, I'll be able to enjoy a less stressful week and thus, I just need to focus in on the tax at hand and enjoy the fulfillment at the end of the day for all of the hard work. Hope you have a wonderful week!

~:[CH14 - Day 137]:~ I'll Take It

 
~:[CH14 - Day 137]:~ I'll Take It

The Angels stink this season. Although they have had moments where there was a glimmer of hope, for the most part, even with their hot start to the season, it wasn't a surprise where we were. However, sometimes, when you're in a slump or at your worst, things just fall into place. Take it. When opportunity comes you way, don't dismiss it, but grasp it and don't let go of it. Maybe it will amount to nothing, but in a season that has seen struggles, the Angels reeled off two wins against the Dodgers. Could it be a sign of life? I won't get my hopes up, but I'll take it. Even when things seem hopeless, keep that hope. I think in any given situation, I've learned to never give up hope. At times, maybe it makes me look like a fool, but I rather be a fool that someone who gives up before the finish line. I think it's an important lesson to finish what you started. Obviously, in some cases, there is no way you can do it, but in most scenarios, it's possible, we just don't want to follow through. As I listen to the chatter of the students around me, I hear them talking about how they don't want to do something because they're not good at it or the others are just too good. In my mind, I am thinking, why not challenge yourself. It's refreshing to hear that student ready to take on a challenge, as even if they fall short, they gave it their best shot. I think of the Olympians from from some countries who finish way behind the others, but they are the only or one of a few, representatives of their country. That's a victory. Most people take on the task of running a marathon. Almost none of them have a chance of winning it, but they take on the task knowing that it's an accomplishment. I hope that we take that mindset that we should be happy participating, competing, and finishing. Every once in awhile, a victory may come your way, but in reality, every time you challenge yourself, you should consider it a victory. 

~:[CH14 - Day 136]:~ Protect What is Precious

 
~:[CH14 - Day 136]:~ Protect What is Precious

It's been a busy week prepping for the banquets upcoming next week, but it was nice to take a little bit of time to enjoy time with my family. I headed over to Stowers for their International Festival that they hold every year. I think one of the cool things about the school is their dual emersion program with Mandarin. My nephew is learning languages at an age that you can actually retain it and retain it he does. I think the school has had a profound impact on him in regards to a worldly view. He knows all the countries in the world and is able to draw the flags as well, mostly from memory. As much joy as their was at the event, there was a sadness looming overhead as it was announced that the school could possibly close in a few years with changes going on at the district. This announcement came out of left field, just a few days before the board meeting to discuss it. With many concerned, I know there will be many voices raised to protect what is precious. I think schools and programs like this are things that need to be looked at. I always teach my students that you need to use your voice when you want to protect something precious to you, no matter what it is and this is no different. I hope that the voices of those who want to protect this wonderful school are heard and solution can be reached. We never know what the future will hold, but with tumultuous times bound to come our way in the future, I hope we do everything we can to protect what is precious to us. 

~:[CH14 - Day 135]:~ As We Begin to Look Back

 
~:[CH14 - Day 135]:~ As We Begin to Look Back

With only one week to go for the seniors, we began giving our senior closing speeches. Almost every year for the past few years, I've had the seniors give a closing speech to archive. It's cool to see them look back on their four years and to see how they've grown over that time. I think MUN students tend to see the most growth, as the amount of confidence they gain over their three or four years is quite impressive. It was nice to hear them talk about all their memories, to discuss what their hopes for the future are, and to hear what they will miss most about high school. With everything flying by as we close out the year, it was nice to slow down a bit an enjoy this "conversation," allowing each one of them to say their goodbye. It's amazing how quickly time has flown by, but it's already four years later and this class is ready to spread their wings into the future. 

~:[CH14 - Day 134]:~ One Day ...

 
~:[CH14 - Day 134]:~ One Day ...

It's been nice to get some business done the past few days. From events to Pokemon, I'm trying to do some last minute wheeling and dealing before summer. In my preparation for it all, I headed to PSA to get some grading done for a few fabulous pulls that I had. Of course, my head turned when I walked in to this magnificent card that I've always wanted to get for my nephew. Of course, it's quite a bit pricey, so it's a probably, not in my lifetime card, but still, it's cool to look at it in person. At times, there are things in life that you say, it will never happen, but who knows, if luck is on your side, things might just fall into place. With my wheeling and dealing these past few weeks, I always wondering if one of these events will produce something I could never have imagined. You really never know, but you just move through your days thinking that maybe one day, that great opportunity will come. Life is built for us to dream. While we should always be grounded in reality, in order to achieve greater things, we can't forget to dream of the "what ifs" so that one day, our dreams might just come true.

~:[CH14 - Day 133]:~ Why Not?

 
~:[CH14 - Day 133]:~ Why Not?

It has been difficult these past few days. I injured myself on Sunday and since then, it's been hard to sleep and move around. While I feel it's not as bad as I originally thought it could be, it still has been a hindrance to simply walk around and even sit. I sat with an ice pack most of the night and day in hopes that it would help. It has helped a bit, but not as much as I would have hoped. With my leg, I passed on taking photos yesterday and almost did again today. It was feeling better and I thought tonight would be one not to miss, so I said, why not? I headed out to Sunset and arrived at the show. It was an interesting setup where random people get together to play a song together and just jam out. I came to the show because there was a Japanese drumming sensation who was joining the event. She has great skills on the drums and I wanted to be there to capture some of these performances. While my spot was good for a lot of the photos for the evening, when it came to the drums, there were much better locations. I moved around and ended up on the stairs, which, even as a photographer, I could only be on for a short time. I got some shots, but didn't quite find the shot I was hoping for. As while an elevated stage is great to see the drums, it's always harder to see the drummer unless you're at a higher angle. Regardless, I enjoyed the night and left with a few shots that I was happy with. My leg didn't feel any different, so it was a win in my book, but I knew that tomorrow, I would be exhausted from being out late, as I forgot it was a school night when I agreed to this. In the end, it's always cool to be at these events capturing the moments, as aside from just the photographs themselves, you also gain a lot of connections that may take you to places you never expected. Sometimes, even when all the signs point to no, sometimes it's good to just say, "why not?"

~:[CH14 - Day 132]:~ Tactical

 
~:[CH14 - Day 132]:~ Tactical

It's fun to watch the students organize their presentations as it shows me what they have picked up from my teaching, as well as showing their creative styles. One thing I enjoyed watching was a group that presented and had the students negotiate with each other. It was a bit of sabotaging going on in the game, but I think learning to try to figure out truth from not is important, not just in MUN, but in life. Regardless, it was great to see the tactical way they approached the discussion and to see all their presentations over the past week. It's a weird feeling as we wrap up everything, but it's also kind of cool to see how much things have changed over the year. As another chapter begins to close, I am already looking forward to what's in store for the next chapter. No matter what's ahead, I know that I am ready and after this past week, I know that my students are armoring themselves for the path that lies ahead.

~:[CH14 - Day 131]:~ In Need of Stability

 
~:[CH14 - Day 131]:~ In Need of Stability

It was quite a strange day. I set a late alarm and went to help a friend after eating breakfast. He was picking something up in the area and so I helped him out. While doing so, one of the pipes sprayed us both and surprised us. It wasn't long before it was taken care of, but soon thereafter, we were loading the van and I lifted a little awkwardly, leaving me with a pain for the remainder of the day. From delays to spilling my drink on the ground and even arriving late to my Japanese class, it was a day full of mishaps. As I cooked dinner, I boiled the potatoes too long, but it wasn't long after that things began to stabilize. The dinner came out good and I thoroughly enjoyed the Shiitaki mushrooms I made. Of course, when all things are in chaos and I am looking for stability, there has always been my mom. Going above and beyond, my mom has always been there, willing to sacrifice, staying up late to help with this or that, or doing whatever she could to make sure we were supported. She gave us the freedom to learn and grow, while being a safety net when we took on a bit too much or faltered in the process. Whenever we needed stability in our lives, my mom was there. I am not sure if it was a coincidence that in a day where everything went wrong, our celebration for our mom was the only thing that went right. As while I hope we can do it everyday, I hope today especially, we had a chance to thank our mothers or mom-like people in our lives for all that they've done to contribute to our lives. As while the storms of life may threaten to bring us down, they are the ones who have served as a foundation to keep us afloat even when the floods threaten to wash us away. Thank you to my wonderful mom and all the amazing mothers out there for all that you do! 

~:[CH14 - Day 130]:~ Every Ounce

 

~:[CH14 - Day 130]:~ Every Ounce

It was a tough day. The forecast kept rising, so we knew we needed to prepare. We warned our athletes to get things organized and for the most part, they did. I thought I had enough drinks, but halfway through the meet, we were already out of water and most of the Gatorade. A parent helped us with more ice and water, but that was quickly gone. By the time the meet was over, we consumed nearly 150 bottles of water and Gatorade. Insane. The temperatures hovered in the high 90s most of the day, but by meet's end, we survived. We didn't get the performances we may have wanted, but they competed. They braved the temperatures while others enjoyed the AC at home, and put it out there. They gave our team every ounce until the last meet and for that, I am so proud. We ended up scratching our last race due to an illness, injury, and a no show, but otherwise, we survived the day, including a new PR and a few athletes on the bubble of qualifying. Our season ended here today, but there's no doubt in my mind that I can close the season out proudly. We qualified an athlete in every area and they went out there and did their best. That's all you can ask for as a coach, especially in the competitive division 2. In life, we'll face the toughest of conditions, but I hope that in every instance, we go out there and give every ounce possible. Just like at league finals, I had a group who went out there and did what they could, even if they weren't at the best condition. They competed smartly, but also, they gave it what they could. For all of us, we may be discouraged that we may not have accomplished what we hoped, but we should applaud ourselves for all that we gave in the process because at the end of the day, that what truly matters. 

~:[CH14 - Day 129]:~ Everlasting

 
~:[CH14 - Day 129]:~ Everlasting

It's always cool to end the night look at this year's Escudo de Oro class and also look back at all the seniors called to the stage. While we may forget what awards and recognitions we received, just being there and getting honored will be an everlasting memory. For these nine students, they reached the pinnacle of what it means to be a Don, as they hit all aspects to be honored among the many other deserving students. I was proud to know that I have worked with six of these students. Four of these students finished all four years of MUN, two I had in cross country, three in track and field, and one I worked with in basketball. It makes me realize that amazing students I get to work with year after year, who do so much for the school and leave an everlasting impression on the school. I think that is one reason why this photo means so much. It captures a group that represents each class and as a collective, they are what makes up the history of this campus. For each of us, there is something that will be that everlasting memory in our lives. Whether it's a competition, a project, or just a moment while hanging out afterschool, high school can be one of the best times of your life if you make the most of those years. There are so many opportunities to explore, to learn, and to evolve. However, the most important thing that high school can provide is everlasting memories. I was chatting with one of my seniors today about this trend of high school students look towards testing out and moving on to college or their careers as soon as possible. While for some may not have much of a choice, for those that do, I hope they see the importance of high school, a chance to spread your wings, to falter, to connect, to succeed, and to fail. There are so many experiences you lose out on, as when you arrive at a moment like tonight, you see all that you did over these four years, which now have become an everlasting part of your future. To all my seniors who survived the ups and downs of high school, I applaud you, as all of you are truly golden.

~:[CH14 - Day 128]:~ Every Little Bit ...

 
~:[CH14 - Day 128]:~ Every Little Bit ...

We haven't done an ice bath in awhile. The ice factory we used to purchase our ice from closed down and the weather also hasn't cooperated. With the warm weather hitting at the right time, we were able to get the coolers together and have a team round of ice baths. I know that many people's nightmares have come from this moment in the sport, but the reality is, it gives you the best shot at recovering fully in a short amount of time. As we prepare for CIF, I've been a bit overwhelmed with everything that I need to take care of. I strangely was working on our banquet list information even before we started CIF and of course, we're almost at the end of the year, thus, banquet and award season is already on its way. As while there will always be something on the to-do list, I know that if I plan and organize, I can take care of it all and do it well. No matter how overwhelmed you get, just focus on getting a little bit more done. Take life in small bite-sized pieces and then it will be a lot less overwhelming. Even when you feel like you might be outmatched, do everything you can to do your best and give nothing less than that 100%. With less than 48 hours until race time, we'll focus in on doing every little bit to get us prepped and after that, we let go of our control and just hope that we did all we could. 

~:[CH14 - Day 127]:~ One of Those Days ...

 
~:[CH14 - Day 127]:~ One of Those Days ...

I should have prepared myself for the worst. Typically when I have a lucky day, it's followed by a day that is mediocre or just plain terrible. Somehow, I messed up my scheduling and it left me flustered all day. I never was really focused as my mind wandered thinking of what I missed, but I knew that at this point, there was nothing I could do. I wrapped up classes and got everything together to prep for practice with our upcoming CIF competition coming up. Additionally, I just made sure I had everything for our CIF dinner late that evening. After one of our last practices of the year, we headed over to Sweetee Thai and had our annual CIF dinner. This year, we had someone from almost every event qualify, with such a range of athletes. It helped me move past the struggles of the day. Life comes at you fast and it doesn't really wait when it knocks you down. The reality is, you have to be ready to roll with the punches and get back up when you get hit. These types of days always happen, you just have to enter with the mindset that you can overcome the challenges or at the very least, you need to focus on moving forward. I could spend all day trying to figure out where everything went wrong, but at the end of the day, there's not much I can do, but make sure I focus on what's ahead to avoid the mistakes I made in the past. Improving, learning, and growing, as we make mistakes, we are given opportunities to learn about how we can get better. While for the short term, there will be a struggle, in the long run, when we have one of those days, it's an opportunity for us to learn and grow. Welcome these challenges with open arms and while we will never wish for them to constantly reoccur, we embrace these moments as opportunities if we approach these situations with the right mindset! Having one of those days? Just know, that you have what it takes.

~:[CH14 - Day 126]:~ Luck On My Side

 
~:[CH14 - Day 126]:~ Luck On My Side

Originally, I was supposed to go to the board meeting at night, but for some reason, there was a bit of a schedule change that I found out about last minute. I didn't mind too much, as this week was quite a busy one. Instead, I ended up picking up a box of the Team Glory, seeing that I didn't want to open the ones in the case I got. I secured it and went home, deciding if I should open it. I did. I went through the packs, in awe of how many packages I had to open with only five cards each. It was quite tedious. There weren't too many exciting moments, but just as I was figuring out what the chase cards were, it hit. I got the top chase card, which is quite cool. In life, things happen for a reason. While fate may not have brought me to this card, maybe fate was bringing me good fortunate despite the change in plans. Maybe the change in plans is what brought luck on my side. Just like a pack of Pokemon cards, we may feel hopeless as we open up pack after pack that is unsuccessful, but at some point, when we keep putting in the work, we allow luck to be on our side. My philosophy has always been, the harder I work, the luckier I become. Let's work hard and increase our chances of success, as while we may not all be chasing that special Pokemon card, we all are chasing that something that stands out from the rest and if we believe we can do it and word towards it, we'll have the best chance and landing that one things we are chasing. Best of luck to us all.

~:[CH14 - Day 125]:~ In Control

 
~:[CH14 - Day 125]:~ In Control

I passed on the classroom to my freshmen. It's that time of year where the freshman take over the class and teach about the Cold War. I inherited this assignment and continued to use it since it is fitting for freshman MUN students. The program itself teaches you so many things and teaching a class for a period puts many of those skills on display. From researching to speaking, organization and planning, the array of skills that carry over is amazing. It's great to watch the students who improv when they need to and even when they falter a bit to see how they handle the situation. For the most part, the presentations were solid and there wasn't much worry in my eyes, as they all seemed to be in control. We'll see how the next week goes, but for now, it looks like the classes will be in good hands!

~:[CH14 - Day 124]:~ Imagination

 

~:[CH14 - Day 124]:~ Imagination

I am backlogged on a lot of albums and so I sad down and got to work. I was testing out a few new tools I have access to and it was cool to see what I was able to create. I opened up an album I had shot about three weeks ago and while I had already completed the albums, I got a request to edit a few of them. I finished it up and then got an idea for another edit. As I head into the summer, I am trying to active the creative side of my brain as a lot of the work I do requires my imagination. I have to try and figure out what my client wants and then try to create it from the resources I have access to. I think a world of imagination is exactly what the youth of our generation need. They need the opportunity to be creative, to think for themselves, and to find a path of their own. Too many times, I get asked, what do I need to do to get an "A" on this assignment. I think it's a valid question from a student who wants to succeed, but while it may get them that "A," it won't necessarily help them succeed beyond the walls of the school. Structure and following directions is good, but allowing the youth to explore and to create is often better. I think one of the reason why MUN students are successful in other areas is because they have to be imaginative and creative. Sometimes I get on them for stepping a bit too far outside the lines, but for the most part, their creativity is what  helps them understand the possibilities out there. I hope that in our daily lives, we allow ourselves a moment to create and imagine. From decorating a wall to coming up with an ingenious gift, using our creative mind is a great keep in keep us open to the endless possibilities out there. As while I hope to keep pushing the youth to imagine and create, as adults it's something we must continue to do, especially in a world where the responsibilities in life are overwhelming. Continue to imagine; continue to dream.

~:[CH14 - Day 123]:~ Intangibles

 
~:[CH14 - Day 123]:~ Intangibles 

It's easy as 1, 2, 3. It's the 123rd day of this year and it's a sad one. My plan for the weekend was to catch up on all the work I needed to (or at least chip away at it), then watch the game. I originally planned to go to Intuit to watch the game, but I didn't set an alarm (on purpose) and decided to just rest. As I watched the game, it started off well, before the game was out of hand to start the 2nd half. I was disappointed to see a team quit so early, but in some ways glad, as their bench played with more fight, so much so that the Nuggets had to put their starters back in just to make sure they kept us in check. However, the season should never have come down to this game. When I coached basketball, one of the things we talked about were the intangibles. I've written about this before and it's still true today. Had we boxed out on the offensive board TWO times in two separate games, we could have won. Even one more box out would have gotten us to OT at home. These are small fundamental things that are taught at a young age, but they are just as important when you get to the highest echelon of the sport. Taking care of the ball, making free throws, and hustling are a few other simple things that could have helped. In basketball, these things are vital, yet not emphasized, but I also think in life, we sometimes lose sight of those things. In the hectic world, sometimes I catch myself forgetting about these intangibles. The thank yous, the I love yous, and even just the basic respect that you show to people are sometimes forgotten. People are focused on the victory, on reaching their goals, on getting into the spotlight, that they forget about these simple things that are more important than anything else. Often times when a love one is lost, they aren't always mentioning what could have been with their accolades, rather they wish they had one more hug, one more chance to say something to them, or simply one more chance to hear them breathe. Doing big things in life deserves to be applauded, but it's the intangibles that we cannot forget about, as without them, we might be failing in the most important area of our lives. Thank you everyone who has been apart of my journey and who has added to my ability to get to where I am today. It is because of all the things, both big and small, that have allowed me to accomplish all that I have and more importantly, all those small words of support, moments of times, and even just being there, are the intangibles that have been the glue that has kept this whole thing together. <3

~:[CH14 - Day 122]:~ Just a Second

 
~:[CH14 - Day 122]:~ Just a Second

Sometimes you accomplish what you want and sometimes you fall short. In either case, it didn't mean you failed. Entering into league finals, I always know there will be ups and there will be downs. We were already down with our best girls frosh/soph athlete out due to a family emergency, two more who didn't show up, and a few athletes here and there who were injured. It's part of the territory. Running the meet, there is never a dull moment as I have to make sure that everything is taken care of, but at the end of the day, it's nice to be able to look back at the end of the day knowing the meet went as smoothly as possible. Of course, my meet was complete by the first few events on the track as one of my seniors reached his goal. He told me that since freshman year, his goal was to break five minutes. Most years, he got off to a great start and then faded towards the end with an injury or illness derailing his season. This year, he had a few shots at it, being on pace during the first half of the race, only to fade. With a blistering start, I knew the fast pace might hurt his chances of hitting his goal and he was fading at the end of the race. I watched him pushing through with everything he had as the lactic acid built up and as he crossed the line, I couldn't look at the time. With the last look at my watch, I thought he made it, but it was confirmed when I heard the crowd roar and a few of his good friends screaming out in joy. You root for that person who really wants that goal and works towards it. In practice, his splits showed he should be running 4:50, but when it came to race time, he always faltered. Today, he did not. With less than a second to spare, he crossed that line under five minutes. To some, it may not seem like an incredible feat, but there are only a handful of moments that could match this moment that I could think of off hand. While we had our moments of stress through the night, I celebrated the ups and dealt with the downs, trying to keep the athletes focused until the very end. The girls frosh/soph lightened the load on my shoulders as despite not winning, they did what they needed to do to secure the league championships, nearly knocking off the top team despite the loss of about 30 points from the missing athlete. I wish a few more people qualified, but that is part of the sport as mere seconds separate those who qualify and those who do not. In the end, these athletes will remember these moments that for some will be just a race that lasts for seconds, but they will be a trophy on their mantle that they can tell stories to their grandchildren about in the distant future. You don't fail when you don't PR, you don't qualify, or even if you don't finish; you can only fail when you quit, you don't put in the work, or you don't even give it a shot. Most people think that someone who finishes last should just have quit since they didn't have a chance to win, but those who put themselves out there knowing that are truly winners in my book. They don't get discouraged and they put themselves out there to see what they got. There are many seconds in our lives, let's be sure to give ourselves a shot with those seconds and instead of second guessing if we're good enough, we should just put ourselves out there and give it our best shot. A little freshman four years ago wasn't sure if he'd ever get there, but today he did and I hope that you can as well. 

~:[CH14 - Day 121]:~ Another One Down

 
~:[CH14 - Day 121]:~ Another One Down

It's always weird to think about the fact that with each one of these events, we are one day closer to the end of the school year. Time quickly passes, yet at the same time, it feels like forever since the first day of school. As we approach the end, there is a bit of excitement for what's ahead, but also the thought of the end coming soon makes you realize that there still so much to do. I think life is like that. We think we have so much time, but when the end of our time on this earth draws near, we begin to think of all the things we didn't do and do our best to try to fit in as much as we can. Like I tell my students, don't wait to do something you want to do, when the opportunity comes, grasp it. I took on that philosopher awhile back due to a fortune cookie and it's taken me to places I never thought I would be and made me connections that have catapulted me forward. I think for all of us, doors will open when we take those chances we've always wanted to and while some will shut in our face, many more will open for us to walk to. Thus, as another day in your life passes by, make sure to make the most of each passing day and make sure that when the next one is complete, you can look back and smile knowing you did just one more thing you wanted to do before you reach the finish line.