~:[CH14 - Day 273]:~ A Labor of Love

 
~:[CH14 - Day 273]:~ A Labor of Love

It was the start of the busy stretch ahead. Five straight days of big tasks to complete with a few more following the week after. The piles of work never end, as you could say they are endless (referring to yesterday's blog). However, in the midst of all the stress comes a joy when all is said and done, usually. As we started to wrap up our prep for the conference, the task of printing all the placards and credential fell on my shoulders. I handed them over and gave the remaining work to our SGs and the seniors who do most of the remaining work. Why do we do it? Sometimes, we can't explain it other than the fact that it's a labor of love. We appreciate what we are able to produce even when it takes all the work that we have to do. It will be a few more days of this before the big day Saturday and we hope that the time we put in over these next few days will results in a smooth day. Of course, the day is never done during these types a week as busy weeks are a magnet for more responsibilities. With a league meeting after practice and prep for our meet tomorrow, more work awaited me, yet I wasn't quite dreading it all. It felt a bit routine, but I also appreciated the fact that at the end of the events, a number of people will enjoy the experience that we took the time to organize. That's what makes us love it. I am not going to lie and say I am looking forward to the days ahead, still yet, I will appreciate what is produced by the work that I put in over the next week. While we always hope that others will appreciate the work that we put in, I hope that we can all truly learn to appreciate ourselves and give ourselves a pat on the back for all that we put into what we do, especially when nobody is looking.

~:[CH14 - Day 272]:~ Endless

 
~:[CH14 - Day 272]:~ Endless

The one thing I like about heading home is that I get an endless supply of food before I depart. I always wonder what they'll have to offer and today they had a nice selection of the normal dishes with a few things I haven't tried. It's always nice to energize myself before my long nap so I can hit the ground running. I'm typically exhausted as I am heading home after a packed schedule during this short hauls, but still yet, I often feel fulfilled and this meal just tops it all off. As usual, I arrived and entertained one of those endless days as you forget what day you are on. I wasn't fatigued as I went through my day, but knew there was a lot of work upcoming this week, an endless supply. I slept at a normal hour despite the long day, but as I reflect on the day, I realized the variations of "endless." Endless can refer to those stages in your life that are miserable. The endless cycles of struggle, fatigue, or disappointment. These endless moments are ones that we would often like to leave behind. Then there are the endless days and piles of work that add stress to your day. You wish you could do something to make the days themselves more enjoyable and give yourself the opportunity to relax. Then there are the endless moments we would love to last forever. From the endless expressions of love, the endless moments of joy, and the endless love from the loved ones around us. The reality is, endless is fiction. At some point, things will end, which can be something we can look as a negative or a positive. However, the counterbalance of both ends of the endless cycle allow us to appreciate those moments we welcome and also give us hope in those endless moments we want to leave behind. It's the teeter totter of life and I think that for us to truly appreciate what we have, this balance is key. Of course, I hope for all of us, those endless moments of despair are far and few between, but still yet, when you face those moments, know that they truly are not endless and hope is on the horizon. 

~:[CH14 - Day 271]:~ Soda Pop

 

~:[CH14 - Day 271]:~ Soda Pop

It was my most packed day of the weekend. I was a little too ambitious in my planning as I layered various events together to ultimately being late to one. I kicked off the morning with one of my usuals as we hit up the streets of Ueno for our collaboration.  It was nice to catch up and relax a bit together as well as we only get to meet a few times a year. I headed over to meet another familiar faces at another studio not far away. I was most excited with what we produced from this shoot, as while I won't be able to share it, it will be a piece that I will keep in my collection.  I ventured over to Shin-Okubo for another familiar faces, but a lot has changed since his last event this summer. It's been cool to see the success he's had as part of the vocal cast of KPOP Demon Hunters (Mystery). He's worked so hard, especially over the past few years, and this was well deserved. It was great to hear him perform this song and others, as the Klovers truly enjoyed the experience. They were also so welcoming (as usual), which made the night more enjoyable. The event ran a little late and though my next appointment was less than ten minutes away walking, I had to delay the start by thirty minutes. In the end, it all worked out, as I wrapped the long weekend up, with a pile of editing to do when I get home. You sometimes wonder why you work so hard in life, but just like Kevin, you might find your own "Soda Pop" breakout to help catapult you to the heights you've been reaching for. My day was just like soda pop? truly sweet and I was pleasantly surprised how bubbly I felt by day's end. Hoping that you all can find a day just as sweet.

~:[CH14 - Day 270]:~ The Comforts of ...

 

~:[CH14 - Day 270]:~ The Comforts of ...

There's a lot of comfort in simplicity. The way the sunlight hits the table to lighten up your meal, a simple pasta made at home, or just the comforts of being in a home. For each of us, these comforts differ, but there is no doubt that today was one full of comforts. The morning was reserved for organizing documents and just planning, but most of the day was just getting used to things. It was great to go shopping, as I adventure around the stores, looking at all the cool things that exist. Whether it's a conversation, a cool breeze, or just the ability to have a worry free day, we all have moments that are comforting. It's easy to get wrapped up in the glitz and glamour of the things around us, but let's remember that our happiness and comfort can be found in the simplicity of the day. Enjoy the weekend!

~:[CH14 - Day 269]:~ Crossing Over

 

~:[CH14 - Day 269]:~ Crossing Over

It was a ridiculously planned schedule, but I have nobody to blame but myself. From meeting to meeting, I filled the entire day from morning until night. By the evening, I crossed over into a new neighborhood. Strangely, I ventured to this station in July, not knowing I would become acquainted with it. It's a quiet area that is secluded from the chaos of the city, still yet, it's not far from from it. It was nice to finally settle in and cross over to this side of town, wondering what adventures await. I settled in and all was well, but I was truly exhausted from the jam-packed schedule of the day. It will be a short turnaround so I'll need to make the most of it. Let's get to work! 

~:[CH14 - Day 268]:~ Precision

 

~:[CH14 - Day 268]:~ Precision

It's great to see masters work in their craft. When someone who is skilled in what they do, it's impressive to watch them flow. They don't look like their thinking as it just comes natural to them and they also do it with precision. My friend truly showed her skills as she helped me out with another beautiful cut. I always truly appreciate the time that is taken out to do it. I always compliment her sling which has all of her tools she needs right at her fingertips. No matter what someone's speciality is, I hope when we get a chance to witness such precision and greatness, we appreciate it. 

~:[CH14 - Day 267]:~ Miles of Smiles

 
~:[CH14 - Day 267]:~ Miles of Smiles

It's been a brutal season with the weather. Running under the hot sun is a challenge and today was surprisingly warm. I am not sure what it was, but it felt hotter than expected. As I survived another busy day with sign ups for UCLA, Edison, and Nationals happening all alongside Cerritos Conference prep, I let out a sigh of relief as we headed to the TC to enjoy a relaxing day during practice. It's fun to see the athletes enjoy their time together, as while it's great to work out, it's better to allow them to spend time together and create memories aside from just running. The relationships they form as an ohana allows them to keep pushing themselves, as they are able to enjoy their time together, smiling along all those hundreds of miles during a season. We wrapped up the day and headed back, as I went home to finish up a little bit of work I had to do, but as I looked through my camera roll, I was happy to find a number of pictures of the athletes enjoy today's practice. These kinds of images are what make memories that will last a lifetime. 

~:[CH14 - Day 266]:~ A Change of Pace (and Scenery)

 
~:[CH14 - Day 266]:~ A Change of Pace (and Scenery) 

It's been a little difficult figuring out my schedule as I also adapt to my role. The role has made my life easier to counterbalance my schedule, which has become tougher. With a crowded field, the team ended up heading off campus to do their workout. While it probably could have been worked out to complete the workout at school, it was less of a hassle to head over to Sunshine and get the work in. The team ended up having a pretty solid workout. It felt a little weird to be at that park working out, but it ended up working out, as it was a nice change of scenery. Even better, as we were at the park, We ran into the Nishis and Alyssa, allowing us to catch up a bit. At the end of the day, the workout ended up being a little inconvenient, yet we still made it work out. Life will not always be perfect, so be ready to adapt, change pace, and even sometimes, find yourself a change of scenery when need be. Today we did and it ended up working out.

~:[CH14 - Day 265]:~ Crunching Numbers

 ~:[CH14 - Day 265]:~ Crunching Numbers

Strangely enough, a cross country coach has to do a lot of match. Crunching numbers to figure out splits, to try and calculate improvement, and to figure out exactly where in a race to start moving. From training to nutrition, cross country is a numbers game. All my coaching life, I've always been the one to run the numbers. Logging in times and mile splits, I've always loved math and numbers and this sport allows me to continue to use numbers. Although not all coaches will work with numbers, I've been one who really likes to focus on the statistics to allow athletes to visually see their progress. My life has become a lot easier with the internet and the way they time, but still yet, my Sunday and sometimes Mondays are filled with logging in times to see just how much improvement our athletes made on this day. Luckily, this week had a large group of them, which made crunching these numbers a little bit more enjoyable.

~:[CH14 - Day 264]:~ Hurrah for Huzzah!

 
~:[CH14 - Day 264]:~ Hurrah for Huzzah!

I spent the morning getting some work done before heading down to San Diego. I had planned to catch the show Huzzah since Anthony was performing in it. It was cool to see a performance where I didn't have to go to New York to catch it. It was the perfect stage for this show as it was based in a Renaissance Faire. The Old Globe has a similar vibe and so whether you're walking inside or just heading out, you feel like you never left. It was great to hear Anthony's incredible vocals in his duet, although I wish they used his voice a bit more. Still yet, it was such a great show and was excellent even though the two leads came down with a cold and both leads were understudies. I was impressed. I was curious about the inner workings of the theater when someone is out. It's amazing that someone can just step into a role when someone is out. It makes sense since performers will have to take a day off, but the amount of work it takes to adjust for the cast is immense. From rehearsals to costumes, there are so many elements that need to be taken into account. In the end, I left overjoyed from a show that is still in its previews. How will it change over the next month and if it ends up on Broadway, how different will it be? I'm curious to find out! Be sure to head down to SD to catch the show if you get a chance, as it was quite fun and worth the watch! Huzzah!

~:[CH14 - Day 263]:~ Cooling Off

 
~:[CH14 - Day 263]:~ Cooling Off

I unloaded my car and it just passed midnight. I sat in my room and relaxed for a bit before going to bed. I was excited for today - no alarm. I slept in just a bit longer than normal as I lied in bed a bit before getting to my computer to catch up on work. It's been a whirlwind and I've searched for the motivation to catch up, but I've been also trying to get my rest. I balanced to two as I took a short break to eat and get boba, before heading back in to get my work done. It was a nice refresher in the middle of the day and probably just want I needed to find enough motivation to keep working. By night's end, I got some grading done, wrapped up a few more albums, and finished up the newsletter (or what I could finish of it). I was amazed, but I did it. The one thing I like about the long Friday is that I get Saturday off, but of course, normally that means just catching up on work, especially when there is something going on Sunday. Regardless, I enjoyed the break I had and look forward to the exciting week ahead!

~:[CH14 - Day 262]:~ Friday Night Lights

 
~:[CH14 - Day 262]:~ Friday Night Lights

It was a session of Friday night lights, but it wasn't football. We joined in on the Friday session of the Woodbridge Invitationals. Thousands of athletes went through the course at the Great Park in Irvine on this first day of competition. It's always great to race here and see the athletes reach new PRs, which is often the case. It's tough competition, but being amongst good athletes will help you get better. We ended up with a few medals a good number of personal records set on the day, as we arrived home just a little before midnight. It's always a long day with school and the meet, but it's also a bit exciting to have such a crammed day, as you enjoy the thrill of competition to kick off the weekend. 

~:[CH14 - Day 261]:~ A Little Chaotic

 
~:[CH14 - Day 261]:~ A Little Chaotic

My day felt just like this; overflowing with chaos. It was difficult to describe, yet simply full. From start to finish, I felt this urgency to get things done, as the week quickly came to a close. I guess this time of year falls at the intersection of chaos. Returning from our trip, preparing for the upcoming conferences, handling issues of the past, and also trying to simply survive the present, led to this chaos. I taught my classes, finished my deposits, wrapped up the newsletter, and sorted through the media, while preparing for tomorrow's meet. I had students non-stop today trying to handle this and that, which also made the day pass by even more quickly. However, despite it all, at the end of the day, I looked back at how chaotic of a day it was and appreciate all that I was able to accomplish despite it all. Yes, I made mistakes, I got stressed, and I could have done better, but that is part of our everyday. Rarely are there days that are perfect, but especially when it is chaotic, appreciate that you simply survived. There was nothing really bad about the day, but I still get a little stressed as I think about all that I had to do today. As while I sometimes wish for a day that is calm and chill, I also accept the fact that my job will often require days like today. Over time, these days have become easier to handle as I keep an order to what I am doing, as I try to focus in on what I need to accomplish. Down the line, I may realize I made a mistake, but just like anything in life, I'll do what I can to correct it, I'll learn from it, and I'll prepare for the next chaotic day ahead. Tomorrow could be a chill day, but where would the fun be in that?

~:[CH14 - Day 260]:~ Like an Hour Glass

 
~:[CH14 - Day 260]:~ Like an Hour Glass

They often refer to him as mini-me due to his photography skills. He has such an artsy view, that he always finds a way to capture a scene in such a dynamic way and often leads me to think about how I can capture something similar. That's how you improve. You learn from those around you, no matter how much experience the ones around you have. Their views are different than yours and can provide you with a new frame for everything around you. It's always great to cross paths which such a dynamic group of people. Working with some of the highest achievers, you get to see the inner workings of a number of groups and organizations as they plan and doing such extraordinary things. However, it's about this time of year, that I also have to deal with the slow trickling away of the alumni as they head off to their respective schools or careers. Like an hour glass, the students will slowly move on to their next landing spot, it's only a matter of time. However, it's not sadness when they leave, rather a thankfulness that you got to work with them, that you got to learn from them, and that you got to experience this world with them. Time will continue to pass by like the sand flows through an hour glass, but just like an hourglass, many times, that sand will flow back once again. While I do not see all alumni again, I am lucky to see them from time to time to see how they've grown and where they ended up. It's always great to hear about their transformations, but I am also ready to step up when they want to talk about their struggles as well. At times it can be burdensome to work with so many students, but also means that I'll have more opportunities and more experiences. We said our farewells, but instead of sadness, I felt a sense of joy knowing that great things await him and many others who will cross through my classroom. While there will be ups and downs, I am confident that as the sand flows through the hour glass, they'll ultimately all find their way in the end. 

~:[CH14 - Day 259]:~ A Welcome Home

 
~:[CH14 - Day 259]:~ A Welcome Home

It wasn't a welcome home party, but it felt like one. A normal dinner at home, felt like a million bucks. A few weeks ago, I cooked a birthday dinner for my mom. My dad planned one for the next day, but since we bought the same thing, he changed course and saved the steak. Fast forward a few weeks and we finally had that steak. It was delicious. Dipped in ranch seasoning, the steak was soft, tender, and full of flavor. I topped it off with rosemary and thyme to add just the right kick to a beautiful dish. It was a nice welcome back home, although it wasn't a celebration at all. I was a bit exhausted after arriving home just after 1am. I was energize by the outpouring of messages from my athletes who showed appreciation for the trip, which made surviving the day even easier. It wasn't a perfect trip, but I was grateful for the experience that they all had and that we were all able to make it back home. I'm sure many of them let out a deep sigh as they jumped into their own beds at home or when they took in a homecooked meal. As while when we are home all the time, we often take what we have for granted, I am blessed to know the true appreciation of home, as I often have to venture off for work. As great as it sounds, it can never beat the welcome home I feel simply from being back home. 

~:[CH14 - Day 258]:~ Beauty Unimagined

 
~:[CH14 - Day 258]:~ Beauty Unimagined

The beauty of taking students places is when they get to see things they are in awe of or could never have imagined. As we looked out at the beautiful turquoise sea, I loved how they soaked in one final glance of a place they got to enjoy for the past few days. While the trip is quite short, it was definitely worth it to explore and to experience what the island has to offer. The world provides an education they cannot get elsewhere as it's filled with history, science, math and more. As they begin to wander around the globe, they truly get a real life example of the many things they've learned over their lifetime. The world is a classroom that is often unrivaled and seeing them soak it all in is a beauty unimagined - it's real. We didn't need to use our imagination in this case, as they each got to walk through something that they may never have thought they'd get to experience. While some have come to Hawaii before, those who didn't got to enjoy a series of incredible sites and experiences that I hope they'll never forget. It was a little sad to depart and while I was looking forward to being home and sleeping in my own bed, I also knew I would miss watching the athletes engaged in experience after experience. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I do and this weekend was another reason to be forever grateful. I hope that we can all find something in our lives that has this type of beauty, one where the richness of the experiences grows as time passes by as you begin to appreciate it even more with the passing of time.

~:[CH14 - Day 257]:~ Action & Adventure

 

~:[CH14 - Day 257]:~ Action & Adventure

It's always one of their favorite days as we take to the water for a little bit of fun. The athletes screamed and laughed as they zoomed across the marina. It's funny to see their faces and reactions while on the boat as often they are the most authentic. We enjoyed lunch before heading to Diamondhead. We were debating between this hike and Kokohead Stairs, but many were exhausted from the race the day before. Some preferred a harder hike yet still enjoyed the hike. We headed to Kualoa to take some photos and enjoy the beach area before heading to Waikiki for our final evening. It was a weekend full of many things, but the one thing I hope that remains is their bonds that were created while on this trip. Ohana <3

~:[CH14 - Day 256]:~ A Battle of the Body & Mind

~:[CH14 - Day 256]:~ A Battle of the Body & Mind

It's always tough to race when coming to Hawaii.  From the travel to the humidity, the elements get to you on top of the fact that the course is a bit hilly. It's a test of the body and mind. Of course, as tough as the elements are, the athletes had a great time and enjoy the scenery and more so, meeting athletes from other schools as they traded jerseys and handed out medals. It may not be one of their best times of the year, still yet, I hope it will be one of the most memorable. We headed back and enjoyed Leonards and Rainbow Drive In before I forced them inside for a study session. Their minds and body probably needed that rest as it's been an exhausting week, yet one that will be one of the most memorable. 

~:[CH14 - Day 255]:~ A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

 

~:[CH14 - Day 255]:~ A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

We set out on our normal morning run then headed on our way around the island. We made our first few typical stops at Dole Plantation and Matsumotows, but ended up making our way to Byodo-In Temple and Kailua Beach before catching the fireworrks show. While we've ddone these things before, we haven't had this schedule, so we adjusted and adapted a bit, making it all workout despite a late start. In the end, the athletes got to enjoy the island as we circled half the island and ended thewe day with a beautiful visual for the eyes. In the end, it was a great day with a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

~:[CH14 - Day 254]:~ Aloha!

 

~:[CH14 - Day 254]:~ Aloha!

It's always a welcoming site. Walking out of the airport, you see the iconic "Aloha" sign ahead. Exhausted from the meet yesterday, we all headed to the airport and arrived on time, flying off to paradise. The group did their homework in the airport and plane and were relatively calm, making the flight a breeze. We arrived later than normal, but had enough time to walk around Waikiki and enjoy a warm bowl of udon to close out the evening. It's nice to always return to my mother's hometown, as I feel connected to my roots everytime I visit although I often don't get the chance to see my family while I'm here. I'm excited to see the athletes enjoy this mini getaway as they also get the chance to connect with schools across the island, forming bonds with those, thousands of miles away.

~:[CH14 - Day 253]:~ The Competition of Life

~:[CH14 - Day 253]:~ The Competition of Life

I woke up early and headed to the park to setup the course. The weather was perfect based on now it's been this year so far. The course setup was pretty quick and before I knew it, the race arrived. It was my first league race in an assistant role, but it almost felt the same. The craziness of doing results overtook the afternoon and I still barely had time to watch what was going on. We had quite a number of illnesses and injuries plague the team in the past few weeks, so all things considered, we did what we could. Athletics is a competiton, but it also something full of lessons. They learn how to tough it out, how to push themselves, and how to focus in on their strategies. In life, I hope that we can keep things in perspective and not always make things about winning or picking sides. Today, a few more lives were lost in multiple shootings. In these moments, I hope we see that it can't be about sides and that there can't be revenge or someone reigning victorious at the end, because at the end of the day, we are all part of one team, the human race. Changes need to be made and the only way that solutions will be found is if we find a way to compromise, unify, and understand that life cannot be a competition. To all of us, I hope we take the time to reflect, in hopes that we can find a way to walk alongside one another and heal together because in the end, that's the best way we can find ourselves becoming victorious - together.

 

~:[CH14 - Day 252]:~ Another Night, Another Year

~:[CH14 - Day 252]:~ Another Night, Another Year

Another back to school night is in the books. It's crazy how time flies, yet how things stay the same. I went through the routine of introducing my classes and before I knew it, the night was over. It was another long day in one of the busiest weeks of the year. I thought about how before I know it, I will be attending my very last back to school night, retiring into the sunset. Until that time, this routine will continue and it will be another night during another year. I headed home and got ready for the race tomorrow, another full day is coming my way tomorrow. Good night world!

~:[CH14 - Day 251]:~ The Steep Learning Curve

 
~:[CH14 - Day 251]:~ The Steep Learning Curve

We are at that point in the year where the classroom lessons become a lot more challenging. The easy and chill environment becomes a little tougher for most, as they learn how to write their papers with the proper research. Some will breeze through the process, but most, like myself, will face their share of struggles. Some will try to take the shortcut and fail miserably, while others, will try to climb the obstacle ahead and fall short. It's okay. While it can be a challenge, when we keep pushing forward, we give our selves a chance to make that steep challenge ahead of us a little easier. Slowly, we can wear down what is difficult and make it feel a lot easier. It takes time, but if they keep at it, it will get easier and they will begin to realize that they can truly thrive. Often times, we're taught to teach at a level they can understand. It's true that we need to make sure that we reach out to those who need the help, but I also hope that we can challenge them, allowing them to realize that they can climb those steep obstacles ahead of them. It won't be easy and there will be moments where the rainclouds loom overhead, but with the right support and encouragement, they'll find their way through the storm and through the challenges that lay in their way. I made my way to practice afterschool and I kind of got the sense of this as I saw the largest group taking on the longest loop offered today. It was a nice mix of veterans and new athletes and I know that while they may not be the fastest athletes right, they are beginning to gain the confidence after they challenges the tough obstacles this summer, slowing building the strength and courage they need to overcome what they once thought impossible. 

~:[CH14 - Day 250]:~ Let's Rock

 
~:[CH14 - Day 250]:~ Let's Rock

I was able to finish a few more photo sets after my morning language class, before heading over to the charity event. It was a little difficult to focus at first as I was watching the first week of NFL football. It's always fun trying to figure out who is going to win. I would have been happier with a Seattle win, but overall, most of the games played out like I thought they would including the Packers. It was a little warm when I arrived at the event, but I was happy that the stage blocked the sun and I enjoyed the two performances I came to shoot. I even was able to capture Kawachi Ondo x Mikoshi for a little bit of dancing. I like how they mix the traditional dance with current music to engage more of the younger ones to learn the dances, yet still do it in a way that intrigues them. I am not sure if it's a more common trend nowadays, but I did notice this happening at an event in Tokyo as well. Regardless, I said by goodbye as I left with a card full of wonderful photos from the event. Although it was a small event, I truly enjoyed watching everyone on stage. Let's be sure that we allow our days to be filled with great moments, so we can truly enjoy our lives. Hoping that our lives are full of moments that rock!

~:[CH14 - Day 249]:~ Study Buddy

 
~:[CH14 - Day 249]:~ Study Buddy

Since Sunday would be busy, today was my workday. I focused in on grading and also did a little studying as well. There were a number of things I needed to get done today as well and I was able to wrap up most of what I wanted to. I thought that this image was fitting for the day, as I felt like an octopus, having to have myself doing such a variety of things, trying to juggle it all at the same time. The most tedious of things was going through the photographs and getting them posted, which I was able to get through a large chunk of what I had hoped for. It's often a challenge to focus in when you have a pretty open day, but I am glad that I was able to do so and even had time to visit a friend briefly during the day. I spent the remainder of the night studying a bit before tomorrow's event. While I know there is a bit more grading I could take care of, I decided to leave it for the week as it wouldn't take too much longer and I know I'll have at least a little bit of time to get it done. 

~:[CH14 - Day 248]:~ Connecting Sunsets

 
~:[CH14 - Day 248]:~ Connecting Sunsets

Have you ever wondered if there was a greater purpose to things in life? As I stook on the hillside, I looked ahead and saw the sun setting. It has been a long exhausting week, but it also has been one where I felt good by week's end. There were some challenging moments for myself and those around me, which made me wonder if this beautiful moments was a chance to recharge and heat from the exhausting week. Is it a chance to connect with someone who is far away looking at the similar sky? Is it a way to connect with those who no longer walk on this earth, but watch over us from above? Is it a way for us to learn to appreciate the beauty of nature? There could be a lot of explanations for something so beautiful, at the same time, I wonder if we could just enjoy this beautiful site simply as something beautiful. I was exhausted after a long day that was filled with ups and downs, but as I stared off into the distance, I felt a bit of calm to soothe my troubles away, as I wondered, who else is looking at this very sunset and at this very sky. As I basked in the beauty of the sunset, I thought of those who may be looking at it too. I left a little early from our evening practice to enjoy a little celebration with my family, but I kept thinking back to this beautiful moment which will replay in my mind. I may never find what the meaning behind the beauty of nature is, but I can still appreciate it as I soak it all in wondering who else is looking up at this very sky that connects us. Have a wonderful weekend as the sun sets on another week.

~:[CH14 - Day 247]:~ A Place All Too Familiar

 
~:[CH14 - Day 247]:~ A Place All Too Familiar

It was a place all too familiar, yet it felt distant at the same time. As my friend sent a picture to me of the path ahead of them, I thought of all the great memories along the beach near that spot. I find it intriguing that I am familiar with a lot of the places that those around me take photographs. Being an avid adventurer, I've been to many places far and wide, both for leisure and for work. Because of it, I have been able to see so many places and when those around me post photos from those spots, it allows me to recollect my own experiences there. These images remind me of a place all too familiar as I reminisce about the moments I spent there. One day, I'll get to revisit some of the many places I've been in my life. I wonder how different I will feel when I go there and if there will be a sense of disconnect or will I indulge in the wonderful memories that I've collect there. For now, I'll just remember the moments I spent at this beach and hope that soon enough, these moments will return. 

~:[CH14 - Day 246]:~ Blossoming

 
~:[CH14 - Day 246]:~ Blossoming

It wasn't the hottest day of the week, but it was quite warm. As I sat down to take pictures of the Homecoming premiere, I was touched when a student brought a fan for me and later on, they came with a cardboard box asking if I needed shade. It was a gesture that I hadn't received before, but made me appreciative of them. I appreciate all the work that they do and this was just above and beyond their call of duty. As I watched the premiere, I thought of the days when I was up in that front office and all the long hours we had to spend preparing for events like this. It's hard work and I am grateful that they continue to produce these types of events for the student body to enjoy. It's also cool to see my current and former students on stage and they truly blossom up there as I get to see them in a new light. With the theme around blossoms, it reminded me of the beautiful flowers of Japan and made me wish I could return soon. For now, I'll appreciate the blossoming of my students and see them grow in their own roles. I hope that each of them can find the path that best suits them and makes them happy, as while life is difficult, that effort pays off when you are there to witness the bloom.

~:[CH14 - Day 245]:~ Dinner is Served

 
~:[CH14 - Day 245]:~ Dinner is Served

Today was the day before my mom's birthday and I was cooking her birthday meal. Tomorrow we were supposed to have our district meet, but as I was cooking this meal, I found out it was postponed (most likely canceled). Regardless, I was glad that I had the chance to cook up my mother a good meal. My mom loves steak and thus, I decided to cook up a meal around the steak. I cooked some veggies within the same pan as the steak, while I also made Ratatouille, and then topped it off with mushrooms, onion, and bacon. In the end, I may have overdid it just a bit, but I didn't have any regrets. It's tradition that on my parent's birthday and also on mother and father's day, I cook up a nice meal for them and today was no exception. While I wish I was able to do it tomorrow, we'll get to celebrate another day and enjoy this meal today. I guess it could be a blessing in disguise, but for now, I guess we'll enjoy this delicious feast. Dinner is served!

~:[CH14 - Day 244]:~ A Tail of Two Tales

 
~:[CH14 - Day 244]:~ A Tail of Two Tales

Someone mentioned that my tail light of my van was out. After two months of not driving, I'm sure during that time, it gave out. With a number of things to do to wrap up Cow Run, it was another thing to take care of. It actually worked out for the better. I needed to drop some stuff off at school anyway, so I grabbed the bulb while I was out and quickly change out the bulb. I actually have never done this myself, but after watching a video online, it took but a few minutes to change it out. I was amazed at how easy things have become. When you don't know how to do something, there is usually a tutorial to help you. While they are not always going to make us pros as something, it will give us some direction on where to go. It was fun to get this taken care of along with a few other tasks. Other than visiting my friend in the morning, I ended up lounging for most of the day as I still had a few lingering tasks to complete. While I didn't get to uploading the backlog of media I have to catch up on this week, I was glad to get the more laborious stuff out of the way before the week begins. While we still have a meet this week, I am glad that it will definitely be a lot lighter of a week than last week which includes temperatures that will slowly cool off towards week's end. Will it be a relaxing week? I guess only time will tell!