~:[CH14 - Day 334]:~ Expectations vs Reality

 
~:[CH14 - Day 334]:~ Expectations vs Reality

It's easy to judge a book by its cover. As I ordered this drink, I expected it to be overly sweet and I would toss it away, but I thought, it's worth a shot. I'm not a big chocolate person so in the end, it isn't a drink I would order again, but it wasn't anywhere what I expected. I expected my schedule today to be a bit chaotic, but the reality is that it just flowed. Being here time after time has allowed me to evaluate my timing better as I had just enough time to comfortably make it from spot to spot, which was nice. Every encounter I had to day was grea and while a few I expected to be a bit stressful, ended up being some of the best moments. Don't always allow your expectations to drive your approach, yet also keep yourself grounded in reality. A good balance of both will help you find yourself less disappointed and you may find more pleasant surprises than originally planned. I hope that all your realities are exceptional!

~:[CH14 - Day 333]:~ As Seasons Change

 

~:[CH14 - Day 333]:~ As Seasons Change

We don't get much of a transition in LA, so I always love to soak in the fall energy when I can. I am thinking about how the seasons signify life and how we change and adapt as time passes. We are vibrant at times and no so at others, but regardless, we are deeply rooted where we are despite our changes. Do we maintain our solid core as all these changes happen or do we slowly rot away, as we are exposed to toxic environments that try to bring us down? I've always believed that my roots have been able to hold up despite everything due to those around me. As I filled my day with this and that, I ended up at Yoyogi Park and came across a friend who I hadn't seen awhile. We quickly made our greetings and headed our separate ways. Even in passing, I was reminded that each encounter is what keeps me standing strong, whether a constant by my side and even those who helped me along the way. The seasons may change, but hopefully our roots stay strong until the very end.

~:[CH14 - Day 332]:~ The Warmth of a Meal

 
~:[CH14 - Day 332]:~ The Warmth of a Meal

I planned to head out and eat for my first dinner of the trek, however, we ended up just staying in and cooking due to the way the day went. It's nice that the option exists where I am not forced into the world and can hibernate in the walls of a familiar place. I didn't have to deal with the pace of life around me, but could set own pace and enjoy the warmth from the howling wind outside. The costs of living here is so much lower that this dish was a fraction of what it would habe cost me innthe States, still yet, it didn't taste any different, rather it was enriched by the comforts of home and good company. The next few days will be a whirlwind, but at least I know that admist all the chaos, I have somewhere I can seek shelter at. 

~:[CH14 - Day 331]:~ Without the Trimmings

 

~:[CH14 - Day 331]:~ Without the Trimmings

Some years, we have Thanksgivings with all the trimmings. Tonight, we kept it simple and had just the basics. I spent the day at home cleaning, prepping and packing. Thanksgiving is often the day of finishing up the banquet program and converting footage foe the banquet. Today, was no different. I caught up on what I needed to and left my computer running, hoping that it would do what it needed to do. I hope it does. Regardless, as I said yesterday, the time we have together is precious. We ate dinner together and that's all that mattered. I later had food at the airport that had a little more than what I had at home, but a meal surrounded by family and friends hits different. I always make sure I leave after dinner so I can spend it with my family and I am always happy that I chose to, no matter the meal that is served. I am grateful that our table even has food to begin with as I know this year, more than ever, has been quite the struggle for many. Knowing this, I appreciate every time I am able to have enough food on the table. Let's hope that everyone can find this comfort in life and for those who cannot, I hope that to them, someone helps provide what is needed. More than ever, I hope we can see the privileges, even if we have our own struggle and help someone less fortunate. That is truly giving the thanks that this holiday is all about. Thank you again for all the efforts you all have made to help those around you and I hope that I can do the same for everyone else, as I want to truly show my thanks to everyone for helping to get to where I am today!

~:[CH14 - Day 330]:~ A Journey Home ... Together

 

~:[CH14 - Day 330]:~ A Journey Home ... Together

Less than six hours after I arrived in Las Vegas, we checked out and headed home. We made our traditional stops before arriving back home. While I complained about the stop and go traffic, I was appreciative that I had this precious time with my parents. I realized even more so during this trip how quickly time flies. Things that were once easy became a little more challenging with time and it helped push me even more towards treasuing the time we have together even more. In the end, it was a successful trip, not because of any winnings that we had collected, rather because we shared moments together than more valuable than any jackpot. The true jackpot in life is around you. As while we all spin the same reels of life and sometimes don't quite have the luck others may have, there are people around you who can be the most valuable of all things and when you strike that jackpot in life, hold on to it for dear life. As I looked out the windows. I emphasized how beautiful it was outside despite being stuck in traffic, but in reality, the most beautiful of moments was being created within the confines of this very car. Hoping you all can treasure those who are on that journey along with you. 

~:[CH14 - Day 329]:~ The Open Door

 

~:[CH14 - Day 329]:~ The Open Door

It's tough for all of us. Sometimes when we see a celebrity, we think, it kust be nice." The reality is, it's incredibly tough. The struggle to find a breakout even after success might be tougher than simply chasing a dream. Have you ever tasted something and wanted more of it? It's one thing to imagine how something tastes, but to taste it and not get to taste it again might be even more a struggle as you crave it even more. Kevin talked about this struggle and how thankful he was to have this breakout. Although our circles were Interconnected, our paths crossed when he joined KPOP the Musical. Since then, I've been lucky to see him in New York, Tokyo, and LA. The timing has often worked out, but i had to get a little creative to make this one work. On my annual trip to Vegas, I grabbed lunch with my parents and let them have the rest of the night. I flew out to LA and am taking the bus back as we speak. As I look back on his journey, I think about my own as I knock on the door of various opportunities and hope that the door opens for me. Often, the door is slammed in your face and other times, it's not what you expect on the other side. Regardless, you keep grinding and work towards finding the path you've been looking for. Keep knocking on those doors and keeping looking for the opportunity you've been searching for as when you least expect it, the door you open could unveil what you've been searching for. Good luck on your journey.

~:[CH14 - Day 328]:~ Connecting & Exploring

~:[CH14 - Day 328]:~ Connecting & Exploring

We slept in a bit and headed out to meet JJ before exploring the city. We enjoyed some time relaxing before we headed out for a walk on the strip. I guess you never notice how time has passed as I watched my parents follow me. The 1000m walk may have felt like an eternity my parents as they trailed behind so I stopped to take photos as we went. As we explored, it reminded me of how time quickly time passes by. What seemed easy one day, may become laborious or impossible, which is why you must make the most of the time we have. I noticed a few things here are there that made me realize that I must focus on this precious time we have together. We enjoyed our time exploring the digital art museum and while it wasn't as impressive as TeamLab (it felt like a knockoff version), my parents who have never been there seemed to enjoy it and that's what matters. As I stood atop the viewing platform, I enjoyed the one room that seemed original and was appreciative of how they incorporated some ideas from other art installations and made it their own, something that would only fit Las Vegas. Regardless of what we did though, I was appreciate for the time I got to spend with family and friends as I continue to connect and explore this thing called life.

 

~:[CH14 - Day 327]:~ A Blessing of a Journey

 

~:[CH14 - Day 327]:~ A Blessing of a Journey

We woke up early and drove out to Las Vegas. We typically drive at night, but we had to go early for the junior Olympic race. The deadline was a week earlier than normal for the first round and the info was never posted, so we only had one athlete make the registration window. It was great to see him finish off the season well as he finished third just twenty seconds behind someone who ran 15:12 at CIF. We said our goodbyes and we went to eat and then check in. There was a delay in our rooms and so we played and luckily, I was blessed and ended up ahead by day's end. We were all tired, but  we enjoyed a nice dinner to celebrate the end of a wonderful day. Sometimes the road of life can be tough, but even when it is, you realize that simply being able to travel along the road is a blessing. Luckily, we had smooth sailing all day, but regardless of how things play out, I'll appreciate the blessings I have in life.

~:[CH14 - Day 326]:~ Just Lounging

 

~:[CH14 - Day 326]:~ Just Lounging

I knew I wouldn't be able to do much today. I planned on cleaning, packing, and getting all the work I needed to do before I headed out, prep what I needed to do while I was gone, as well as when I get back. I got a lot of work done. As I looked at my computer, my room, and my to-do list, progress could be seen. Of course, despite it all, it felt like I was just lounging. I took some time to eat out and just enjoy the day before I headed out. Life is busy and crazy, but sometimes, sit back and lounge, no matter how high the stack of things you need to do is. Clear and refresh your mind and your body and soul will follow. Give yourself a break and you'll be ready for the days ahead. Of course, I am not sure I could move a muscle even if I wanted to.

~:[CH14 - Day 325]:~ As Time Passes By

 

~:[CH14 - Day 325]:~ As Time Passes By

I was talking to the other staff members as I asked, aren't there any younger staff members? The same crew of staff came out to take on the freshmen and got the W while the coaches also got their win. Due to the short bench, I actually had to play both games. I ended up playing well, but I could already tell I would be exhausted tomorrow and beyond. Regardless, I appreciate that I can play today and hope that next year will be the same. As time passes by, we become limited by the strains of aging, so I guess I better enjoy this while I can, even if it means I won't be functional tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend!

~:[CH14 - Day 324]:~ Just Because

 
~:[CH14 - Day 324]:~ Just Because

Just because. With the rain rolling in, I decided to cook up a few things for my family. I made a large batch of noodles that we handed out to everyone. I also cooked up a small appetizer for an on going competition focusing on spicy mayo. There were things I had to work on, but it was nice to have the time to do this while I had the time. It's weird to have a little bit more time now that season is over. The breathing room is always feels unnatural as I am used to always piling it on, but the time also helped me realize that I still have work to do. I cooked this meal up just because and just because never felt so good. Enjoy the time you have and do what makes you happy so at the end of the day, you live a life that's fulfilling.

~:[CH14 - Day 323]:~ Dance Dance Dance

 
~:[CH14 - Day 323]:~ Dance Dance Dance

It's fun when we get to this point in the year and the athletes work together to put together their performances. It's great see them outside the cross country setting and see something new. You see those with creative talents blossom and also watch who shows leadership skills in the process. Most will never grace a stage for dancing other than this, but it's a cross country tradition I enjoy, seeing them move beyond their comfort zone. Some may find themselves intrigued by this and continue dancing while for others, it will be a memory they bury away. For all, however, it will be another experience that helps build the puzzle that is them. For all of us, we have an opportunity to do something, but we often hesitate. Throw yourself out there and you truly never know what the experience will bring.

~:[CH14 - Day 322]:~ Fairness & Frustration

 
~:[CH14 - Day 322]:~ Fairness & Frustration

I always love teaching this lesson during the French Revolution. As students draw cards, they are assigned to different estates with the estates receiving different privileges. In the end, I level them up to the same level, however, during the simulation, there always is a bit of frustration with the balance of treatment. It's a question of fairness, something people throughout history have battled with. The treatment of the third estate definitely shows up that the build of the frustration these students faced for a period, can lead to people become upset to the point of launching a revolution. There obviously is a lot more to the story, but this short simulations invokes the emotions accurately. In life, we figure out how to deal with our situations or find a way to change it. Either way, we need to live with what we do. If we simply accept it, we have to deal with the frustrations. If we challenge it, we have to accept the risks that come with it. In a time where we have to face an environment where fairness comes into question often, we'll need to make some tough decisions down the line and figure out what is the best path for us. When do we stay quiet and when do we speak up? Who do we stand by and what will we stand for? The road ahead will still be arduous, but if we continuously build up our strength and be confident in ourselves, we'll hopefully find a path that can lead us to where we want to go. In the end, the students left happily after eating their treat, but they definitely learned a thing or two, either about the frustrations of  life or how it feels to be privileged. 

~:[CH14 - Day 321]:~ The Show Must Go On

 
~:[CH14 - Day 321]:~ The Show Must Go On

I thought about staying home tonight and at some points, I thought I should have, however, I decided to brave the storm and in the end, I was rewarded. The event was rain or shine so despite the forecast, I headed out and prepped for the weather. There were some hiccups and I ended up getting trapped in a bad spot when things got switched up. It was all good when the rain stopped and the umbrellas were down, but when the rain picked up, the umbrellas when up and my spot was no good. I did what I could from where I was, yet missed the performance I was there to capture for the most part. Still yet, I persisted and captured a few nice clips and got some clips from the end of the performance. Failure is part of the job. In my agreements, I often mention that there are no guarantees especially when conditions and crowds impact my ability to complete my tasks, regardless, the show must go on no matter what and I agree to do whatever I can to get the best media possible. In the end, the persistence paid off and I ended up with a decent reel. It wasn't what I imagined, still yet, it was an impressive feat considering the conditions. I was soaked and so I changed out of my clothes before getting into my car. Luckily, I had something to put on. I turned up the heater and headed home, quickly jumping into the shower when I got home. I glanced once more through my footage and smiled, as I knew that considering everything, I did pretty well. Don't quit or give up just because things are difficult. Do what you can and see if you can find a way, as often, your persistence will pay off.

~:[CH14 - Day 320]:~ Rainy Days

 
~:[CH14 - Day 320]:~ Rainy Days

It felt a little like a ghost town at times. The beautiful blue sky peeked through the clouds overhead, but soon enough, the dark clouds would roll in and pour on us overhead. This was the story of the past few days. The rain kept bothering us, but today, was a little bit of a break when I went out for my weekly drink. Like some, I actually like rainy days, when I am inside. The pitter patter of the rain outside is kind of soothing. I get intrigued when the rain starts pouring down, so much so that I walk outside to check it out. I sometimes even take my camera out and walk into the rain for some shots, jumping into a hot shower or bath immediately after. When I am traveling, I love to head out and capture reflections shots after the rain, as it's a perfect opportunity to capture something a little different. Rainy days can be a pain, but there are many things that make it great as well. Find what makes a day great, even when it's not a day you want to remember. As bad as things were, find the smallest thing to celebrate and work on what you can to change the direction of your momentum. When your shoulders shrug and you drag you feet, you only make those rainy days of life last longer, so do you best to look up and look for that blue sky peeking through those clouds, trying to recapture the sky. Eventually the storm clouds will clear and the rainy days will pass, but learn to navigate those challenging times so you can also find a way to succeed, even when the storm feels like it's everlasting. 

~:[CH14 - Day 319]:~ If It's In The Cards

 
~:[CH14 - Day 319]:~ If It's In The Cards

We don't always control what happens in our life. Luck and fate play their role as well. I spend the day catching up on work, while also watching the CIF races that took place on Saturday. I was glad we raced on Friday as it was pouring on there on Saturday. While our season was over, I captured the CIF cards that I write annually to the athletes. I make a design on them and write on the back. This year, I decided to type on the back since it often bleeds through the card and ruins the front design. While originally, I wasn't planning to do the cards with my changed role, I decided it was a tradition I wanted to stick with and thus I did. As I reflected on our season, there were things that went well and others that didn't go so well. Rather than worrying on how to change things, I figured we can just roll with what happens and not become a worrywart. If it's in the cards, it will happen and if it's not, it won't. In life, we can only do our best and the rest is left up to that fate and if luck is on our side, things will pan out, if not, we'll figure it out. At the end of the day, we finally found out that the cards fell in line for Whitney as they advanced to CIF Finals. The timing error caused a long delay in the results, but I was glad to see this team advance, especially considering we had two former athletes on the boys team (one on the girls team). It was a well deserved accomplishment and a reminder that when you work hard and never give up, you give yourself an opportunity. I'll look forward to the opportunities ahead for me and my students and athletes, but for now, all I can do is put my head down and work, preparing myself for the road ahead, the same message my athletes will read when they read through their cards.

~:[CH14 - Day 318]:~ Changing Course

 
~:[CH14 - Day 318]:~ Changing Course

We found out earlier in the week that they would be changing to the rain course with the storm incoming. The rain didn't quite roll in when we arrived, which was nice as it allowed us to walk in peacefully. We hit in the parking structure for the first time, which made it easier as the check in was also located in the same area. The course was fast, but not completely flat as there were a few up and downs which slowed the course down just slightly. However, overall, it was a quick course. While talking to one of my runners, they actually preferred the normal course more, which I would agree with. Why? It was chaos as the race organizers and CIF changed their minds during the meet. While the girls were about to start, they started shifting people around, not allowing them in various locations and ultimately leaving us up top the parking structure. I was a little furious as coaches would not be able to coach as they normally would and I was upset for my parents, who were trying to figure out what to do to watch the races. It was already hard enough with the rain starting to come down, but changing the rules for coaches/spectators in the middle of a race was a bad choice by CIF. Still yet, while upset, I let it subside and focused on my athletes who pushed through and did what they could. With injuries, illnesses and other issues, we actually had to dig deep for who would be racing, still yet, they stepped up and did their best. It was nice to relax a bit together as a team as we grabbed lunch before heading home. I was glad to be heading home, avoiding most of the storm, which seems to be lining up for tomorrow (sorry to those racing tomorrow). There were struggles and frustrations throughout the season, but as I took my final glance around with this team, there was a lot to appreciate and I was glad I had the opportunity to work with them, especially the seniors. We didn't end up making CIF finals, but we did finished aligned with our projections and athletes found their way to new PRs. They gave it their best despite everything and that's all you can ask for. We often take detours in life and having to change course because of the conditions in life, but do what you can, despite what others are doing around you, and try to make the most of the opportunity you have. Thanks for a wonderful season ohana!

~:[CH14 - Day 317]:~ Give Me a Sign

 
~:[CH14 - Day 317]:~ Give Me a Sign

If we're taking about plates right now, mine is overflowing. Today was the first day without an event since I can't remember when. It's been a tough stretch with left me with a pile of work to do, having to catch up on work like crazy. Of course, with CIF being tomorrow, I also had to create lesson plans. On top of it all, our school required us to do lesson walks one of two days. Since I am out tomorrow, today was that day. It wasn't the best day to do it. I somehow managed to get what I needed to done as I worked vigorously through snack and lunch. My mind was a bit jumbled today and with the incoming storm, figuring out what to do with my athletes during there dance unit was also on my mind. The rain held off and so we were able to hold our normal practices, still yet, the stress of the day weighed heavy on my shoulders. After a quick drizzle, I looked up to see a cloudy blue sky with a rainbow slowly appearing. It seemed to say, you'll be okay. As I watched the planes fly overhead towards the rainbow and through the clouds, I smiled. Chaos could ensue around me, but momentarily, I was at peace. It was a sign that seemed to say, "you'll be okay." One of our cross country sub-themes was no rain, no rainbows and there's not a doubt in my mind that this phrase is true to life. We may suffer through the storms in life, but the beautiful rainbows that follow will be our sign that things will be okay. It was a reward of sorts as I soaked it all in and came home motivated to work. There was a lot to prepare tonight to ensure that I didn't have to wake up even earlier tomorrow and I got to it. I finished things that needed to be done tonight, a few more things for down the road, but I'll be turning off my monitor and heading to bed. In a day where a sense of being overwhelmed dominated, the only thing I'll remember is this beautiful moment when the rainbow appeared reminding me to stay strong through the storm, as your rainbow awaits ahead. 

~:[CH14 - Day 316]:~ Celebrating Ws

~:[CH14 - Day 316]:~ Celebrating Ws 

We celebrated qualifying for CIF again. Some people may think, why have all this hoopla around it, but I saw, why not? While it may seem commonplace to qualify for CIF, it's never a guarantee and with a new league lineup, the qualifying process will become more grueling. In life, there are things that feel like givens, but don't always approach it as such, as you never know what's ahead. This year's teams battled through some difficult moments, recovered from some loses, and started paving for the future. It may not have been the best team times we've had, but we saw a group of athletes who found improvement and looked poised for the future. Our CIF team actually has eight freshman on it and we could have even taken more to be honest. With our top boy being a sophomore, it shows just how young this team is. We will lose some talented seniors, still yet, this group will aim to improve their trajectory in the future. Similarly, in our lives, let's keep working on improving our standing and let's celebrate small wins, even if they feel commonplace. In times where life is difficult, I think we need to find ways to keep ourselves going and motivated and celebrating theses Ws not only brings a group closer together, but shows that we should treasure things we often take for granted. 

~:[CH14 - Day 315]:~ Challenge Accepted

 
~:[CH14 - Day 315]:~ Challenge Accepted

There was a little challenge to incorporate spicy mayo into a cooking dish, so I used the morning to cook up this yuzu mentaiko cream pasta. I incorporated the spicy mayo into the cream base, not making it too spicy since I knew my dad would be eating it. It came out just right. The dish balanced well with the shiso and yuzu, hitting a range of flavors and textures. I was happy to be able to complete this as I waited for my computer to render as I processed the endless stack of albums awaiting. I headed off, a little sad knowing that I would have another stack of work to do after this evening. However, my stomach was happy as I stepped out after eating a delish dish. Sometimes when we accept a challenge, we get to reap the rewards. While not all tasks have rewards, when you're lucky enough, you'll come across something when you earn something for your hard work. Let's not train ourselves to only accept the challenge when a reward awaits, but at the same time, appreciate the fact that you earned a reward when you do. I was exhausted by night's end, but as I walked out of the theater, I remembered that earlier I had found ten dollars on the ground, which ended up allowing me to grab one of those street dogs before I headed home. It was a perfect ending to a much needed day, as I got some work done, accomplished a personal goal, and enjoyed the fruits of my labor. I look forward to challenges that lie ahead!

~:[CH14 - Day 314]:~ We Survived

 
~:[CH14 - Day 314]:~ We Survived

With Tuesday being a day off, we held our annual CIF night on a Monday. Strange, right? Regardless, it was a nice break after school to be able to have a fun night out with the team to celebrate the CIF season. Our team actually flew through the escape room in under forth minutes with everyone contributing. The other team took a bit longer, but still managed to finish with about ten minutes left. It's a fun tradition to be able to do something fun together as a team. We almost didn't get to do it, but things fell together at the last minute and we continued our tradition. We finished the evening with a dinner at Downtown Disney and wandered around before we called it a night. It was an exhausting day, but it was definitely a day full of making memories to celebrate our CIF berth.

~:[CH14 - Day 313]:~ In the Darkness

 
~:[CH14 - Day 313]:~ In the Darkness

This week, I almost didn't get a chance to breathe. I had events pretty much every day this week and it was capped off with UCLAMUN. We traveled for the weekend to the conference with a bus full of students who spent their weekend on campus. It was great to see them in committee, as they appeared much older than their actual age. For some, they faced disappointment, while we had a good number of students find success. There was a lot going on throughout the day, but I was glad that I survived it all. I appreciate the fact that I was able to accomplish so much, from briefly watching a family's friend son's basketball game that happened to be at UCLA during my break, catching up with alumni, and being able to work with these amazing students. It was dark by the time we walked out of the tennis center after the awards ceremony. Everyone was tired and dreading going into school tomorrow, but still yet, they showed their resilience, determination, and grit, something that will help them survive the obstacles they face ahead so that they can find all the great things that await them. 

~:[CH14 - Day 312]:~ The Chaos Called November

 
~:[CH14 - Day 312]:~ The Chaos Called November

The fatigue hit me a bit yesterday and so I decided to sleep in and miss my morning meeting. I felt bad that I couldn't attend, but after yesterday, I knew I needed the rest. It was the right remedy. I laid out my November calendar and knew it would be chaotic as usual. Today, I worked it out in advance that I could go with my family to the Clippers game together. It always takes a little more planning to take the little ones, but it worked out. While I wish the Clippers won and didn't look as miserable as they did, it still was a blessing to be able to spend the day with my family. In the chaos that surrounds in this world, I hope we can take the time to spend time with our families and appreciate whatever we can. Even if this evening was just time at home together, it would be just as valuable as friends and family are the bubble that protect us from the whirlwind of this world. Let's entrust them and in turn, let's also help provide them with the protection they need. I was exhausted when I got home, so I wrapped up a few things and headed to bed, as Sunday would be another part of this chaotic month.

~:[CH14 - Day 311]:~ Muscle Memory

 
~:[CH14 - Day 311]:~ Muscle Memory

After one of our traditional runs for cross country, I headed over to San Pedro for another performance. It was great to see this young talent jamming out with a group that she performed throughout Europe with. It was cool to hear the story about how they started working together and also impressive to see how easy it seemed for her to jam in this type of genre. Her brother also got on stage and showed just how talented he is as well, both young prodigies. Of course, with all these performances, you could see how the muscle memory truly played in, as while they claimed they don't remember the songs, they just smoothly worked their way through their set. I think all of our have this in our lives. There are things that seem so challenging for others, but for us, we just roll right through. We don't have to think much and just kind of go through the motions. For me, photography has become this. As while each setting has it's challenges, I don't have to think too much about how to adjust and adapt the settings. It used to be terrifying, but now, it's actually is truly muscle memory. I hope that for those things, we can make the most of it and use our skills and show them off to the world. As while they may be something such as cooking or a craft, your skills deserve to be appreciated even if they don't end up taking you into the spotlight. 

~:[CH14 - Day 310]:~ Storylines Align

 
~:[CH14 - Day 310]:~ Storylines Align

When I saw this musical with one of our alum in it, I already thought it was chaotic, but the performance put on by our students seemed even more so, which made it amazing. I love this musical since it's numerous stories we know and love merged into one. It like those mashup songs, but in a musical version. It's fun to follow the storylines until they become one and it leaves you hanging, what will the ending be? Often times these storylines end with, "happily ever after ..." but the reality is life is, we don't always get to see that happily ever after. I think seeing the struggles each character faces makes this musical relatable. It also has a comedic element that keeps people's attention. Our students did a wonderful job piecing this together and I truly appreciate their efforts. I ended up leaving wondering what the end of my own storyline would be. I guess instead of worrying how it will end, I will appreciate being in the storyline and make the most of each and every opportunity. 

~:[CH14 - Day 309]:~ Breakthrough

 
~:[CH14 - Day 309]:~ Breakthrough

The day didn't play out perfectly, but it still ended will in many ways. It was great to see that two of our athletes who pushed for the top, found their way there, while others had breakthrough performances allowing them to reach new heights. I saw a lot of impressive finishes and while I wish we could have captured another league title, I was still proud at how the team battled. Two of my athletes were aiming for the MVP award and they both got it! One athlete won all three of her races even after injuring herself after the second league cluster. Our boy finished third in the first meet after just coming off injury, but still managed to make a strong charge and shaving off a few more seconds from his previous mark on the course. I could highlight all the great performances on the day, but I rather just say that I was proud at the effort than most of our athletes put forth. They battled through the season, dealt with the aches and pains, and ultimately came a challenged on this final regular season stage. Tomorrow, we begin our focus on CIF, but at least for tonight, I'll happily celebrate the breakthroughs of my athletes on this finale of the regular season.

~:[CH14 - Day 308]:~ Quicker Than Expected

 
~:[CH14 - Day 308]:~ Quicker Than Expected

An athlete was facing the track and I looked as he was watching the sunset. I quickly grabbed my phone and captured the shot alongside him. It's amazing how quickly time passes by. In my first season taking a stepping back, it felt a little strange, but I got used to my role. There was a little weight taken off my shoulders, although the same responsibilities were still looming. As I look back on the experience, I was glad to be able to see more of the interactions that I didn't see, the connections people made, and even seeing what are the things that could be fixed. Regardless, the one thing that didn't change was how every season goes by quicker and quicker. As we get older, life seems to pass by quicker and while we try to settle in our routine, I hope we can realize that our time is also passing. With each passing day, treasure each day more as our time left on this earth will pass by quicker than expected. As I watched the sunset, I reminisced on some precious moments I've had in life and hoped that the days ahead will help find me many more moments such as these. All I know is that I must treasure each one of these moments moving forward, as time, just like these sunsets, will wait for nobody. 

~:[CH14 - Day 307]:~ Center Court

 
~:[CH14 - Day 307]:~ Center Court

It's been awhile since I was able to attend one of the basketball team's games on the Clippers' court, but this year, it worked out. It was quite a laborious process trying to get cleared to get into the arena, but after all was said and done, it was time to go courtside. It was fun seeing the arena from the floor as I the shutter clicked time after time, capturing a moment that these players will remember forever. Not all get the opportunity to go to a game, let alone, step onto the court of a professional arena. It was fun to see them have their moment and while I dreaded having to sort through all the photographs through the week with the backlog I already have, I was excited to do so as well as I knew that these captured moments were precious. With each of us, we have a moment where we are center court and I hope we make the most of it. I felt that these athletes soaked it all in and will leave here with something special that they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives.

~:[CH14 - Day 306]:~ Rhythm of Life

 
~:[CH14 - Day 306]:~ Rhythm of Life

I had a few things going on in the morning, but I took care of them as I made sure to leave enough time to head out to Long Beach. I was lined up to capture another performance by the Yoyoka Family Band. It's always fun to watch them perform together as how often do you see a mother rocking out to Rage Against the Machine with their two children and husband. They always find a way to give me a sense of happiness as I watch how they mesh so well together. As I sorted through the photos, I was happy with what I had collected. For each of us, we find the thing that brings us happiness and rhythm in our lives. For this family, it is music. When looking at my own life, the images I capture allow me to find a rhythm in life that keeps my days going. As while I enjoy many things I do, my drive to capture the perfect moment really keeps me motivated. As I go along my way, I observe what others do so I can learn and grow and improve the next time the opportunity comes along. Just like that, the weekend was already gone, but I think I started the new week on the right beat. Hopefully we all can find the rhythm in our lives that keeps us on track.

~:[CH14 - Day 305]:~ Until the Sun Set

 
~:[CH14 - Day 305]:~ Until the Sun Set

I had a lot of work to do, but I worked tirelessly in the morning so that I could head out to Adelanto in the evening. the drive was supposed to be about 90 minutes, but the time never changed and ultimately, I was driving for almost 2.5 hours. Instead of arriving early, I arrived as the game was about to start. Our team was facing a very strong team who had a nice balance of a good passer, rusher, and teammates who could catch. In the end, the team fell short of their goal of making it to the championship as the game was decided as the sun began to set behind them and the stadium lights came on. Visually, the sunset was beautiful despite the agony that sat in my stomach. I felt for the lady Dons. However, what I loved was that they kept playing and doing what they could until the sun finally set on their season. I could hear the tears which were quite gut-wrenching, however, later on, I heard the girls reminding each other of what they accomplished in their first season, which was quite uplifting. Life can become discouraging and even when the odds are stacked against you, don't let up until the sun finally sets and the final buzzer sounds. Even when there is a 0.01% change of breaking through, never forget that the chance exists. Even so, the fact that you kept pushing until the end will mean a lot more than anything else. Congrats on a great season!