~:[CH15 - Day 270]:~ Unforgettable Sights

 
~:[CH15 - Day 270]:~ Unforgettable Sights

We ventured out to Multnomah Falls in the morning and got to see the beautiful signs of the falls. We were debating whether or not to head to the top and ultimately ended up trekking all the way up there. The view up there was somewhat unimpressive, but there were some good views along the way. Still yet, the view around (including the drive) was gorgeous. We wrapped up and headed to the Skibowl where we took the lift to the top of the mountain and sledded down the alpine slide. The athletes truly enjoyed it and I was glad it was something that they discovered on their own. The view heading down the mountain was gorgeous as you could see Mt. Hood in the background. Both moments were filled with sights that you'll never be able to forget. They will forever be engrained in my mind and I hope that the athletes all will have a lifelong memory. It was nice to have this extra day to experience the world around us and I only hope that tomorrow will bring a final stamp that will make this trip a success. For now, I'll look back and soak in the beautiful memories we created in these incredible sights. 

~:[CH15 - Day 269]:~ In Its Truest Form

 
~:[CH15 - Day 269]:~ In Its Truest Form

I think when we experience things in life, we don't always get the truest form of it. Do we get to try the foods we eat in its truest form or has it been adapted to fit the local cuisine? Do we celebrate a certain event the way it was intended? The list goes on and on and one these experiences in cross country. When talking to the Redondo Union coach about the race, he talked about how the course itself is the best parts of this experience. In Southern California, we race on grass and sidewalks, but at this race, we run through fields and forests. The mud and challenging terrain is part of what makes cross country, cross country. The athletes all finish with their jerseys a mess, but that is part of the memories they'll carry with them as they move forward. It's always an experience running this race and while their times are much slower than usual as they course is just that much more difficult, they often leave with smiles on their face after facing cross country in its truest form. We headed around Seaside this time before heading back to Portland, taking the long trek through the mountains and roads to get to Tillamook, before heading back to the city. It was a great experience living on base, but I know we all are looking forward to heading back to headquarters (as the sophomores refer to it), as there is one thing they won't miss, living on a military training camp in its truest form, as I know that we all will appreciate the comforts of the hotel tonight.

~:[CH15 - Day 268]:~ Unexpected

 

~:[CH15 - Day 268]:~ Unexpected

It was the day I was most worried about on this trip as we transitioned from the comforts of Portland to the barracks of Warrenton at Camp Rilea. The athletes are not used to this camp lifestyle, so adjusting to it is not always easy. Did we bring everything we needed? Would they have enough food? With a van, we decided to pick up chicken on the way since one of our athletes loves Jollibee and has been asking for it since we arrived. It was the best decision as after the early dinner, in the middle of the night, they were eating chicken in the parking lot. It seemed like all was good as we got to the camp safely. When going to the pasta feed, I imagined their old school and wondered why the map was taking me a different direction. Little did I know that their campus moved and now sat on the side of the mountain overlooking the harbor from Goonies. It was such a beautiful sight being there at sunset as we took some photos before heading into camp. It's great to have these unexpected moments when you can truly soak it all up. It's even better when it's unexpected as it WOWs you and leaves you breathless. The kids were laughing and smiling as they came back from the ice cream social. They had some funny stories to tell as they adjusted to the realities of being places outside of LA, but ultimately there were good spirits all around and that's all that mattered.

~:[CH15 - Day 267]:~ Changing Season

 

~:[CH15 - Day 267]:~ Changing Season

In places like LA, you barely notice the changing seasons. The color of the leaves don't change much and the temperature stays relatively the same. However, when arriving to Portland, the change was already evident, even though the fall has just begun as the yellows, oranges and reds were all around.  Much is like life as some are consistent while others are constantly changing and adapting. Neither can clearly be classified as the "best" way, however, it truly is amazing to watch, when someone changes, contrasting what they used to be. The Japanese Garden was a beautiful way to kick off this trip, although they were exhausted from the walk. While the leaves hadn't quite turned yet for most trees in the garden, it was still a good reminder that change is inevitable when the seasons of life change.

~:[CH15 - Day 266]:~ Floodgates

 

~:[CH15 - Day 266]:~ Floodgates

We flooded in to Tapioca Express as we had a good run. It was our final team run for the week as we'ee headed to Oregon tomorrow. it was a special food run as we had our adoptions which connect to our family tree which has existed for over 15 years. While I need to update the tree, it's still cool to see all the connections that have been made over time. By night's end, I had the mass amount of work roll in, but I managed it well by controlling the flow just like they handled our crowd today. It feels a little weird that we'll be leaving tomorrow, but with all the work I've had lately, it will be nice to get away to save myself by drowning in all of this work. Close the floodgates ... for now.

~:[CH15 - Day 265]:~ Welcomed

 
~:[CH15 - Day 265]:~ Welcomed

It's nice to see the new athletes bond together and connect, especially when they're freshmen. This group has been exceptionally spirited as they painted themselves up at the meet. Each group tends to create their own story, which allows them to continue the story, but write it in their own way. It's not a forced carbon copy, rather a natural transformation that begins by simply being welcomed. We're never going to be 100% success, but we try our best to be as successful as we can. So many obstacles have come our way, but we do our best to adapt and survive.

~:[CH15 - Day 264]:~ Better Together

 

~:[CH15 - Day 264]:~ Better Together

Celebrations happen often in life. Some people prefer to do so in private, but even if that's the case, it's nice when the people around you are there to uplift you and celebrate together with you. Personally, I don't like grandiose celebrations and being the center of attention, at the same time, it feels good to celebrate alongside others. With birthdays aplenty in cross country, it's always great to celebrate together. We try to establish a structure where the upperclassmen connect with the underclassmen and they support each other as it helps pass the torch each and every year. It doesn't always work, but we'll do our best to make this experience one that is better together.

~:[CH15 - Day 263]:~ Just Winging It

 

~:[CH15 - Day 263]:~ Just Winging It

Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) used to be one place that cross country frequented a lot. It was a little challenging at times since it was crowded, however, there were some great memories such as our mango habanero challenge. Today, a few alum gathered together to watch today's 10am games. It was a bit early, but it was fun to enjoy the wings while enjoying the game. There was a nice slate of games as a few came down to the wire, but the game we came for, went to overtime. It looked like it would end badly at first, but the turnaround made the afternoon even more exciting. I had a lot of work to do today, however, the time away allowed me to catch up with the alum, while enjoying my first day off in a quite awhile. It's been busy lately and I look forward to some time of peace and tranquility, however, the schedule also allows me to better appreciate these special moments of peace. 

~:[CH15 - Day 262]:~ Let Them Fly

 
~:[CH15 - Day 262]:~ Let Them Fly

When I thought of this year's theme, I thought of the many colors of Rio. Throughout their events, birds were also part of the presentations. As I wandered around the campus, I thought about all of these students and the freedom they felt as they danced around together, took photos together, and simply enjoyed the evening. I think many times in life, these students have so many things they have to take care of and sometimes, they also need an opportunity to let loose and fly. I always am appreciative of the effort that my MUN students put in as it required a lot of them to get their work done, so it was nice to see them dancing around and enjoying the evening without the worry of the work they had to do. I'm excited for where they will all head in the future, but it's moments like tonight that help me appreciate what is lost without the full high school experience. While going to a good college and getting a good job is important, the best way for them to learn to fly is to experience life, bot the good and the bad. The students were jumping around as I took one final glance at the quad, and I was happy to see them smiling and laughing during this wonderful and joyous evening. 

~:[CH15 - Day 261]:~ At the Speed of Light

 

~:[CH15 - Day 261]:~ At the Speed of Light

Woodbridge always tends to be the athletes favorite race. Great competition, fast PRs and a lot of ways to enjoy the day. Despite how chaotic it can be, I always enjoy seeing these athletes chase their PRs and run their best times of the year. It can get a little chaotic at the end of the night gathering everyone together, however, it's always fun to pause and remember some of these great moments. We snapped a shot of the team and also of the seniors at the meet and I was glad to have captured this moment. Time continues to pass year after year and it seems to speed up. However, for each class that passes through, many of these moments will be a freeze frame in their lives. Whether or not they PRed here, they may or may not remember, but they will remember the laughs they had, the memories together, and simply the time they spent together. 

~:[CH15 - Day 260]:~ Introducing ...

~:[CH15 - Day 260]:~ Introducing ...

Our cross country "rally" became an assembly this year. As difficult as it was to have an early rally and also to have two since it was an assembly, it was fun and memorable as usual to have the athletes get the attention they deserve. These students work hard and it's always nice when they get a chance to be spotlighted for their efforts. It was fun to introduce them, although my voice was left hoarse at the end of the day. The homecoming game later that evening was canceled, so a cloud hung over the day as the students were disappointed, but I know that this assembly still helped lift some of their spirit at the end of the day. It was the amazing efforts of the students that made today a successful one and I was glad that they could get their well-deserved time in the spotlight.

~:[CH15 - Day 259]:~ Comforts of Home

 
~:[CH15 - Day 259]:~ Comforts of Home

It was a very productive day as I caught up on a number of things. The day seemed to speed by, however, I took a break to grab a drink in the middle of all the madness. A lot of things happened right out of the gate and trying to navigate through it all was quite the challenge. While the warmth at the end of the day (as I talked about yesterday) is soothing, the ultimate comfort is when you solve all of the problems that lie before you. It can't always be the case, but when the opportunity arises, I like to seize it. I did what I could today and rolled to the next. I found some comfort when I stopped by Tapioca Express and took in my favorite drink. It helped refresh me, recharge me and ultimately, helped me find some peace in the midst of this chaos. Ultimately, despite it all, I felt comforted and because of it, I kept my focus and stayed motivated for the busy days ahead. 

~:[CH15 - Day 258]:~ Let's Warm Our Heart

~:[CH15 - Day 258]:~ Let's Warm Our Heart

It was raining. Scratch that, pouring. I had three bags with me that weren't completely covered by the umbrella. It was a struggle, but I made it. I arrived to the train on time, but when the doors open, there was no room. I scrambled and made it on the train. In the end, I made every transfer and comfortably enough, made it to my destination. I sat down and wanted nothing more than something warm and that's exactly what I got. A warm bowl of ramen. Life can be tumultuous, but at the end of the day, I think all we want is something warm to come home to. A comforting home or a warm embrace, there are things that can help make our challenging days better. Sometimes things work out and at other times, they don't, but no matter how things turn out, I hope we can find some warmth at the end of the day. It was a long and exhausting day, but in the end, there were many things that brought my happiness and because of that, I felt warm inside. Aside from wanting that for ourselves, I hope we can be the warmth that others need at the end of a long and exhausting day, week, month or year. Let's lean on each other and shield each other from the challenges of life. 

 

~:[CH15 - Day 257]:~ No Pearl, No Problem

 
~:[CH15 - Day 257]:~ No Pearl, No Problem

Enjoying the cheaper prices abroad, I indulged just a bit and it didn't hurt the wallet at all. However, as stated many times before, the good food paled in comparison to the enjoyable moments I had throughout the day. I actually had an easier morning as I got to catch up on some work. I headed out with a lighter load than most days and ran some errands. As I did, I saw a Pokemon snack and decided to play the game. "Let's get a snack," I thought. Well, 200 yen later, the pile of all the prizes came tumbling down into the prize shoot. Just over $1 netted me 13 bottled drinks and ten Pokemon cookie snacks. Good news, the prizes; bad news, my light load was no longer. I lugged around the bag to a locker near my final meeting, knowing it would be the smartest place to leave it. I finished up what I had to before my meeting as I enjoyed our dinner even more, knowing I got a break from the "workout." We laughed as I shared the story of my winnings. I didn't end up with a pearl in my oyster, but the gem of the day was the connections and quality time I spent both in my meetings and ending with my friends. I closed it all out with a memorable evening and although my body was sore, my heart was once again full, leaving me with a treasure that nobody could ever take away.

~:[CH15 - Day 256]:~ Celebrating Together

 
~:[CH15 - Day 256]:~ Celebrating Together

My scheduled got a little switched around with an event being canceled. It allowed me to move a meeting earlier in the day so I didn't have such a tight schedule later in the day. It was nice. Although I had a heavy load to lift through the day because of everything I needed for various moments, it was worth it. After a meeting that turned our well, I had a few moments to wander, before I headed out to the evening event. It was a birthday celebration performance and what I like about idols is that they create an event where they can celebrate together. You see the love and energy they put into these performances, as they are doing if for someone they love and appreciate. There was so much good energy in the crowds as while I wasn't tasked with anything specific for this event, I still enjoyed the celebration and captured so many wonderful moments. It's challenging when in these special moments you turn around and don't have anyone cheering you on, so I do hope that we surround ourselves with amazing people who will be there for us when we celebrate moments such as these, as well as in moments that can be tough to bear. I hope it's also a reminder to make an effort to be that person for someone else, especially when we know, there are few who are there for them when it matters most.  I sat back a bit and enjoyed the energy and truly know that she had an amazing birthday celebration, one she'll remember forever, knowing it all happened because of those who were alongside her in this very moment - celebrating together.

~:[CH15 - Day 255]:~ When the Light Shines

 
~:[CH15 - Day 255]:~ When the Light Shines

I love working with artists who bring hope and joy to others. I worked with two who did it in their own ways. I was a bit crazy to think this schedule would work out, but I trekked a bit over three hours out to Chofu before crossing back over four hours to Shibuya. It was a challenging day, but in the end, it worked out. Even amongst the shadows casts inside the train in Chofu, one artists lit up the moment. Her always cheerful and energetic energy was shared with all those in attendance. It was also great to see her family supporting her during the performance amongst the many fans there. It was a bit of a challenge finding the right spot in a limited space, but there were many moments when the light shone just right and made a moment magical. I guess that's life. We'll have to work and weaver ourselves through various shadows cast in our lives, but those moments when the light shines in our life are magical. They stand out compared to those other moments and truly are incredible. I always hope that this light is everlasting, however, I know that the challenging moments are also awaiting. As I trekked back to Shibuya, it was strange that the contrasting view was casts, a performance themes "After Tears." I think that darkness in life helps us appreciate the shining light and when the tears flow, it also helps us bring more meaning to the happiness that follows in life. Sometimes the sadness lingers, but at some point, the hope for better things brings sunshine into our lives. I was once again exhausted, but filled with joy and hope that the light of the world would shine on my path ahead. Even when shadows were cast and challenging moments required me to endure, the hope of what shined ahead and I hope that this perseverance could continue as I trekked on this journey ahead. I've endured the ups and downs in life and I only hope that these experiences will help me to continue to appreciate the light that shines like it did today. 

~:[CH15 - Day 254]:~ Nice Meeting You

 
~:[CH15 - Day 254]:~ Nice Meeting You

I had a bunch of meetings lineup right away. I enjoyed meeting people from various field from stylists to designers and more. We enjoyed good food and conversation. For those I knew, it was nice to reconnect and for those who I just met, it was great to learn more about them. As we chatted, the topic of 9/11 came up, which was a bit of a surprise to me while I was abroad. A little sadness entered as I thought about all the lives that changed. It reminded me of just how fragile life can be and how something so sturdy can be gone in an instant. I guess that's why I cherish these opportunities to meet people. I genuinely want to make connections and memories and I was able to do that today. You never know what life will throw at you on any given day, so cherish each moment. Disasters, pain, and suffering will happen, but no matter what happens in your life, keep building and focusing on surrounding yourself with people that will help you build (or rebuild) a world you want to see. From the ashes of 9/11 came many stories of heroism amongst the tragedy, connection amongst the lost, and hope amongst the pain, as it serves as a reminder that we can endure, especially when we do it together. 

~:[CH15 - Day 253]:~ Simply Enjoy

 
~:[CH15 - Day 253]:~ Simply Enjoy

I tried to finish up some work, but ran out of time, as I headed out. Instead of worrying about the pile of work, I tried to simply enjoy the break I had. It was kind of nice being restricted from doing things as I finished up what I could do, they used the rest of the time to search through the choices of food available. I grabbed my meal and then headed on my way, wondering what adventures awaited ahead. I know the worry of things that need to be taken care of will swirl around in my mind, however, they'll just have to wait as there's not much I can do about it now. Enjoy your here and now, but sometimes it takes your inability to do something to help you realize how much you truly needed a little delay in your schedule. While I will hit the ground running, at least I was able to hit pause for just a moment before the sprint ahead. 

~:[CH15 - Day 252]:~ A Little Heated

 ~:[CH15 - Day 252]:~ A Little Heated

By 6am, we were already at the park setting up. The gate to the park wasn't open yet. It's a lot different than our previous league, but it was nice to work with someone to setup since I don't have to carry the full load of work. However, with a super conference can sometimes come super problems. With the heat climbing much higher than anticipated, we already knew that we probably couldn't make it through all the races, at least not without adjustments. The coaches met and we seemed to be on the same wavelength, trying to figure out what the combine when another coach comes in and says, "we're not chaning the schedule." We looked at each other thinking, "what?" He called his admin over who said the same thing. At the very least, we could have run the varsity teams first, instead we started as normal, then they tried to combine races at the last minute to try to get the races done. I was pretty heated. It may have simply been the heat, but over ten coaches were ready and willing to make the change so we could get the main races done. We devised a plan based on common sense after a coach went over the projected timeline for the heat index. A majority of the coaches seemed to be on board, yet a single coach stopped it. It got dismissed, only for them to try and revert back to a similar plan that we proposed earlier. It wasn't a great start to the new conference. While we cannot control the weather, we can control our plan to prepare for the worst. We can think of ways to solve what's ahead of us and often, we can come across something that works. However, we will also come across those who try to get in the way, who can get you a little heated as they impede progress or at least how much progress you're capable under the given circumstances. Do what you can, but at the end of the day, you may have just go back to the drawing board and find a way to maneuver around those obstacles. Life is a puzzle, but not just any puzzle. It tends to change all the time, ever being the same. As time passes, sometimes it gets easier, but often, a new wrinkle is thrown in to throw us off. When that wrinkle comes, iron it out. Take some time to assess and figure it out before you figure out your next steps and often, you'll find yourself a litlte more clear headed and ready to face what's ahead. Who knows what will help next meet, but all I know is, we left today knowing we need to step up a bit more to overcome those who may simply be there to make it harder for us all. Wish us luck!

~:[CH15 - Day 251]:~ Final Prep

 

~:[CH15 - Day 251]:~ Final Prep

In a new conference, it feels a little weird getting ready for our race tomorrow. Very little info and also not as much work today. With other coaches taking the brunt of the work, I no longer have piles and piles of work, however, there are still things to do. It also keeps me out of the loop a bit, so at times it's a little unnerving as I don't always know what is going on. Regardless, I can still prep my athletes by going over the course and various race strategies. The benefit of 6th period is there is an opportunity to meet with them and go over things. With a lot of other things going on that I'm getting ready for, this was one of many things that would lead me to this late night, trying to squeeze everything in. Let's hope I'm ready as tomorrow is a new experience and you never can predict how these types of moments will go. Wish me luck!

~:[CH15 - Day 250]:~ Setting the Bar

 
~:[CH15 - Day 250]:~ Setting the Bar

It was a recovery day today. I sorted through my files and transferred what I needed to,. I began catching up on work that I hadn't gotten to. I even had a little time to rest. I truly was exhausted. However, as I thought about the concert from last night, I was blown away with the idea that this group is in the middle of a tour when they traveled to so many places and sold our stadiums like they did tonight. Others have come before them in these types of arenas, but the scale of what they did and the enthusiasm behind it, is something that I haven't seen. I definitely enjoyed the beautiful visuals of the stage and the amazing performances, but what I liked most is that it made me think of how I can push myself to raise the bar on my own goals. How can I do something on another level and raise the bar? How do I keep excelling and never settle without becoming too exhausted? Where do I find that balance? There are a lot of questions as you journey to improve yourself and push yourself, but if you want to set the bar, it doesn't come without the risks. Even if you're not aiming too high, trust in yourself and allow yourself to authentically be yourself while pushing forward to pursuing excellence. When you do what you love, it seems to be a lot easier to put in the time and effort to chase after your dreams. 

~:[CH15 - Day 249]:~ Truly Magical

 

~:[CH15 - Day 249]:~ Truly Magical

It was incredible to see my former athlete on stage. As a freshman he was quite. We did our best to make him apart of our team and he always came along, even if he hadn't found his voice yet. Fast forward to today and he spoke on stage in front of an entire ballroom of people. Not only did he give a speech today, he became a teacher who lectures in front of his students regularly, having to do something that wasn't easy for him not long ago. There was a lot of talk of overcoming obstacles and boundaries and I was touched by his words. Watching him dance on the dance floor later on, reminded me of our dance unit we held during PE years and years ago. It was a nostalgic moment, but also one that reminded me about the magic of our roles as educators. While we often use our meetings to talk about data, there is no data that can measure our ultimate reach. Learning how to score well on a standardized test to help our school's data, pales in comparison to see the growth of a student. I'm not saying it's not important, but there are many more measures to success than what we are looking at today. For those with students who haven't entered high school yet, I think it's definitely a valid point to consider. Where will they thrive the most? To see students thrive is what I hope for and something I have to remind myself of daily. I often veer of track with the stress of everything weighing down, but I must remember that in order for the magic to happen, I must fulfil my role and help provide the experiences these students need to help them find their voice. Congrats on your truly beautiful and magical union!

~:[CH15 - Day 248]:~ Community

 
~:[CH15 - Day 248]:~ Community

The moment we begin eating, I smile. We made it. Every year, getting to the finish line is the key goal at the Great Cow Run. For the athletes, they want to pass in the fastest time. For me, I want to get through it with minimal issues. As I look around, I am so grateful for all those who make this work. I see the parents who come year after year, the coaches and athletes who do their part, and the alumni and other supporters who show up year after year. This year, I had a few groups of alumni sign up and they ended up coming up clutch in making the meet work. It's also nice when you have to do very little instructing on the day of, as everyone takes on their role and moves forward. It takes a community to make things work and I am truly grateful to have our ohana. It's always nice to see everyone year after year and I am truly appreciative that they simply show up. At the end of the day, I smiled knowing we had crossed the finish line and it was only because of the community who uplifted me along the way. Thank you again for helping us maintain this wonderful event.

~:[CH15 - Day 247]:~ Enroute

 
~:[CH15 - Day 247]:~ Enroute

I got an email today and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. The past few weeks have been ones I don't want to relive again. There was nothing devasting happening, but rather, it was a unwanted stress that kept me away from smooth sailing no matter how hard I worked. With so much on my mind, it was nice to celebrate the top five nominees in a beautiful setup by ASB which transported us to paradise. However, the road ahead today would be exhausting. I looked forward to the end of the day, but knew that the route to get there would be a little rough. Regardless, I set my destination and followed my route. We know that are moments in life that are more demanding than others and it's in these moments that we roll up our sleeves and get to work, knowing that it's part of the journey. We may not like it, but sometimes there's just not much we can do about it. Dig your heels into the ground and get ready for those challenging moments in life as when we begin our journey to our destination, when we are prepared for these challenging moments, our route becomes a lot more manageable. Congrats to the top five and a big shoutout to our wonderful ASB!

~:[CH15 - Day 246]:~ Learning the Ropes

 
~:[CH15 - Day 246]:~ Learning the Ropes

MUN is quite intimidating for freshman. You walk into a class that is not as clear cut as the core classes. You hear terminology on a regular bases you are not familiar with. There are not as many people who can help support you, as it's not as familiar to most. That's why we must do our best to practice and to learn. This stretch also allows the students to interact and also learn how to ask questions and seek help, which is a valuable foundation for MUN students. Even veterans will come across topics they are unfamiliar with. However, int he end, these students are rewarded in the end by facing up to the challenge and not backing down. There will be moments of tough lessons, however, in most cases, even if they fail, they'll be a valuable lesson learned in the process. MUN can be brutal, but the difficult moments often lead to the greatest growth. I look forward to how these students will change over time and it all will begin with moments like these where they have no clue what is going on, rather then simply trust the process and begin walking the sometimes difficult (yet rewarding) tightrope that is MUN.

~:[CH15 - Day 245]:~ Let's Cool Off & Chill

 
~:[CH15 - Day 245]:~ Let's Cool Off & Chill

It's been hot lately, but it's beginning to cool off a bit, which was nice. Still yet, it's been nice to be able to cool down a bit during this stressful week. Food runs are not a thing that many cross country team does, but taking the time out of the training schedule to let the athletes bond together is more valuable than coaches may think. You lose out on miles, but you can often gain bonds that end up netting more than those miles will end up doing. In any case, today was a much needed chill moment amid a very busy stretch of days. Once I got home, I focused right back in on getting work done, so I was glad to have this moment, even if it was just for a short while. Let's all take a little time out of our schedules and invest it into ourselves as while it may seem like we are wasting time, it may end up netting better results in the end. 

~:[CH15 - Day 244]:~ Stress Relief

 
~:[CH15 - Day 244]:~ Stress Relief

It's been quite the rollercoaster start to the week. Tonight, I was supposed to go to the BTS concert, but I knew how busy it would be and thus I unloaded the tickets awhile back. Dealing with some different variables this week, the stress has been higher than in most years. It's not something I wanted, but you learn to deal with it. I always have multiple plans in place, so adjusting to the changing landscape wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it still was stressful. Of course, what better way to relieve some of that stress than to take a quick visit across the way to take my daily selfie. It's nice to chat or joke around. He has to hear my complaints from time to time, but most of the time, it's just jibberish talk, but somehow it makes me feel better. Life is stressful, especially when the flow is off, so hopefully we can all find a way to unload that stress so we can keep moving forward, not being dragged down by the weight of life.

~:[CH15 - Day 243]:~ Almost Treasure

 

~:[CH15 - Day 243]:~ Almost Treasure

"I struck gold," I thought to myself when I found this. Later, when looking at the package, I found out it was past the "best" date. Is it treasure or is it not? I can't give it to my friend, which was the intended purpose, however, maybe I can keep it for something out. They often say that one man's trash is another man's treasure. While this is perishable, still, it could be something valuable to me (or someone else). It may not be gold, but it could still be something valuable. I think this applies to another of things in life. We can't quite put a value on things. When people indulge in this or that, we can't quite say, "it's a waste of money." It may be for us, but maybe not for someone else. Let's respect each and understand that our values are all different. While we should warn others of things that are detrimental to them, hopefully we can be supportive of the other decisions in life that those around us make. We may not value the choice they made, but let's not discount the value to them. It was an exhausting start to a busy week, however, I am hopeful that all will work out and I'll find that treasure buried someone along my road of life. 

~:[CH15 - Day 242]:~ My "Off" Day

 

~:[CH15 - Day 242]:~ My "Off" Day

Today was my first day off in August. Whether work, media, or traveling, today was the first and only day without anything scheduled. Of course, my "off" days are typically catch up days as I frantically sprint to keep up. I had a long of sprinting to do. I caught up a bit with my morning lesson, they got to work on the media I had to catch up on. There is a lot of work to do, but luckily, I made my way through the piles of work pretty well today. While I didn't finish everything I wanted to do today, it felt nice to lay down a bit as I worked or catch up on a few shows while multitasking. There is a lot of work ahead this week, but I also look forward to crossing the finish line on Saturday when I'll find a little weight taken off my shoulders. September is just as busy as August was, so I know I'll try enjoy my off day later in the moth, but I think when these types of days are limited, you truly learn to appreciate them and make the most use out of the time you're given. 

~:[CH15 - Day 241:~ Blessed Union of Souls

 
~:[CH15 - Day 241:~ Blessed Union of Souls

Do you remember the group, Blessed Union of Souls? I'm not sure why I thought of the group when I thought of today, but it truly was a day where two people were united as one - marriage. Today, I had a role for the first time, wedding coordinator. I was in charge of coordinating the wedding on the day of. I didn't do too much prior to the wedding, but when it came down to the day, it was my day to manage the event from start to finish. I was asked to do this since someone already knew how many events I ran and how I am able to keep things organized and on time. The reality is, at times, I was a little clueless, but I figured it out and by night's end, everything ran efficiently and we even finished early. It was truly a blessing to be able to do this as I learned a lot in the process and connected with a few people while fulfilling my duties. I am not planning on taking on this task anytime soon, if ever, however, I am glad for the experience. I have always been someone who is open to trying new things and today was a reminder that doing so, isn't that bad. I unlocked a new skill this weekend. I think of myself as a jack of all trades, but a master at none. Even though I may not be top tier in any one thing, I am glad that I have a wide range of skills that are useful in life. As the night closed out, it was great to see the smiles on the faces of all those in attendance, as they celebrated the union of these two beautiful souls. I truly enjoyed the experience of being the day of coordinator, but I'll also be happy to be able to sit down and rest a little tonight and tomorrow after a long day's work. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

~:[CH15 - Day 240:~ It Is What It Is

 

~:[CH15 - Day 240:~ It Is What It Is

Sometimes in life, things don't work out as planned. It is what it is. What you can we do about it? We can improve ourselves to help us get on top of everything for a better result next time, however, for now, there isn't much more that can be done. Life itself throws us all kinds of curve balls. The pendulum has been swinging as there are good days and no so good days, but for the most part, we just have to deal with any given situation. No matter how things turned out today, there isn't much we can do about it today. However, we can begin preparing ourselves to avoid just accepting what is suppose to happen and use this opportunity to prepare ourselves when the opportunity arises. At the end of the game, the scoreboard read 3-7, as we fell short while they scored in the final minute of play, however, it is what it is. While we cannot change the outcome of this game, if we have the right mindset, we'll be prepared no matter what condition life throws at us. 

~:[CH15 - Day 239:~ A Little Resistance

 

~:[CH15 - Day 239]:~ A Little Resistance

These past few days have been quite the challenge as the schedule keeps needing to be adjusted. The hot weather is draining especially since it's been hot for a stretch. Of course, these kinds of challenges makes us stronger. Once again, we met at 6pm, but this time, we went up against the famed Brookhaven loop. The athletes got their Thursday strength workout as they battled up the overpasses to build some strength. In life, we often try to find the easiest path possible to our goals. However, when we see resistance in our lives, it actually makes us better prepared for what's ahead in life. The hills make the flat seem easy and those challenging days will help build your will power and ability to adapt to various situations. While we don't always want to be under a storm cloud, building some resistance is useful to help make us into resilient people in the future. 

~:[CH15 - Day 238]:~ It Makes Cents

~:[CH15 - Day 238]:~ It Makes Cents

My favorite project of the year is the one that kicks it off. My seniors dive into economics by applying for a job and then budgeting for their family. It's fun to see them figure out where they can live and to decide what they need versus what they want. It's always intriguing to see what they value in. These views change over time as I've seen these student change their focus on what is important. It's definitely important for these students to understand the value of money, but also time, as they begin their path into their future careers. There will still be a lot to learn as they head forward, but at least I know they'll have greater appreciation for their parents as they'll understand the challenges of preparing for life. 
 

~:[CH15 - Day 237]:~ Beating the Heat

 

~:[CH15 - Day 237]:~ Beating the Heat

A number of things have made this week difficult, but the weather topped the list. As the start of the year has been busy, it becomes even more exhausting when the sun is beating down on you. I typically don't leave my room during the day, so I avoid it until my break before cross country. With regular practice canceled all week, on our two harder workouts, we planned to meet a bit later. We definitely found cooler temperatures, but we also ran out of daylight as I stayed until 8:30pm. It was nice to run in the cooler weather and great to see the athletes not be bothered much by the weather, but still yet, it was exhausting to have such a long day especially with so much on my plate right now. Of course, you can't control everything, so you have to plan and figure out what to do to overcome these challenges. Sometimes, it's impossible, but no matter what, you try to find  away. We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset as practice wrapped up and I only hope that there is something beautiful at the end of all of our journeys.

~:[CH15 - Day 236]:~ The Most Precious Moments

 
~:[CH15 - Day 236]:~ The Most Precious Moments

It was a good idea. My cousin showed me the ad and so I sent a message out to our family. My cousins and my parents decided to join in. It was great. As we walked in, I captured this moment of them walking in. I thought a millions things from "what a shot" to appreciating the time we have together. I am a busy person, but I am glad that I was able to enjoy some time together as we watched the game. The Angels lost, but we got our jersey. It was hot, but it was nice to hang out with my parents and cousins. The wins and loses will come and go, but spending precious time together may one day vanish. Treasure these opportunities and moments as you never know when your last chance will be. Towards the end of the game, a player threw a ball into the stands. With a camera in one hand, I tried to catch it with a backhanded left hand, but of course, I lost it, it bounced off my cousin and into the crowd behind me. I was bummed I wasn't going home with a ball, but looking back, there were still many great memories that will become part of my life's precious memories. 

~:[CH15 - Day 235]:~ No Matter How You Spin It

 
~:[CH15 - Day 235]:~ No Matter How You Spin It

Another hot day; another long day; another amazing day. It was truly a fun-filled day as I captured the performances, this time ready for the lighting on stage. My fingers were adjusting well to the lighting and the pictures came out as I hoped, unlike yesterday. I guess experience does help a lot as I learned how to address the changing lights. Things ran smoothly except for the fact that I left my portable at home. I quickly went home to grab it and headed to the final event of the weekend. It definitely was different than expected, but it was amazing. It was fun to hear everyone DJing and exciting to watch all the attendees energized, doing their thing. I was bouncing around while taking photos and may have jumped in had I know the dances they were doing. I didn't, but maybe I should have. Regardless, by night's end, I realized that I truly made some connections that seem like they'll be lasting and made a few connections that I'll see where they go. No matter what though, this weekend was fun-filled and fruitful. Sometimes in the middle of an event I ask myself, "was this really worth it?" This weekend, there is no doubt that I would say yes, even though my mind and body may disagree and need a lot of rest this weekend. No matter how much energy you exude, however, when things are going well, you're willing to let it all out and do your thing on the turntables of life. Looking back, I am so grateful for this weekend and glad I committed to it all, as when tomorrow comes, I'll still be living in a dream as I sort through all the wonderful memories.

~:[CH15 - Day 234]:~ No Time to Spare

 
~:[CH15 - Day 234]:~ No Time to Spare

Yurimaru tossed the last ball down the lane and pinsetter turned off, closing out the day. It was a long day, but a fun-filled one. I actually started the evening at the bowling alley off with two strikes. It was a great start to the evening on a day that already went fairly well. In the morning, things panned out fairly well despite the sweltering heat. The lighting was a little tough to work with, but I got a few shots and made some friends along the way. It was nice to chat with people, as I normally just get my shots and move on, but I ended up meeting a few kinds souls who truly were amazing people. It was nice to have a little time to chat with a few idols and share their photos with them, as I think one of the motivations I have to take photographs is to capture the amazing moments in life for other people. I am surrounded by people who do such amazing things and I feel that it should all be documents in some way. Looking back, in my conversations, today was truly a memorable day. There were so many incredible memories made today and I am truly grateful to be around the people I have met along the way in life. I think bowling has a lot of parallels to life. As I threw a few perfect balls down the line, the reaction ended up leaving a few tough splits. By frame's end, I didn't convert the spare. No matter how perfect you do something, it doesn't mean it will work out. In reality, you need to right reaction and a little bit of luck to make things work out. Luckily, when working with people like Yuirmaru and a few friends from the day, I realized that I truly had the right mix of things come together correctly, which allowed me to end up with a day full of perfect strikes. My score at the end of the night didn't matter and neither did the fatigue from a long day, rather, these joyous moments I'll treasure forever became what mattered the most. We can do so much to try to prepare for life and try to perfect things as much as possible, but at the end of the day, how the day turns out relies on many factors outside of your control. Today could have just ben an exhausting day as I bounced from one thing to the next, rushing around, however, because of everyone around me, today became an incredible day that ultimately a strike in one of the frames of my life. 

~:[CH15 - 234日目]:~ 悠長な時間はない

ユリマルが最後のボールをレーンに投げ、ピンセッターが停止してその日のボウリングは終わった。長い一日だったが、楽しさで満ちていた。実は、この夜のボウリングは2連続ストライクという最高の形で始まったのだ。すでに順調に進んでいた一日の締めくくりとして、素晴らしいスタートだった。朝は猛暑にもかかわらず、物事はかなり順調に進んだ。照明の扱いに少し苦労はしたが、何枚か写真を撮ることができ、その過程で新しい友人を作ることもできた。素晴らしいことを成し遂げている人たちに囲まれていると、そのすべてを何らかの形で記録に残すべきだと感じる。振り返ってみると、今日交わした会話も含め、本当に記憶に残る一日だった。今日生まれた素晴らしい思い出の数々に感謝し、これまでの人生で出会った人たちと共にいられることにも心から感謝している。ボウリングは人生と多くの共通点があると思う。完璧なコースでボールを投げても、その結果として厄介なスプリット（ピンが離れて残る状態）になってしまうことがある。結局、そのフレームでスペアを取ることはできなかった。どんなに完璧に物事を行っても、必ずしもうまくいくとは限らないのだ。実際には、物事を成功させるために適切な反応と少しの運が必要になる。幸いなことに、ユリマルやその日一緒にいた友人たちと過ごす中で、必要な要素がすべてうまく噛み合っていることに気づき、結果として「完璧なストライク」で満たされた一日を過ごすことができた。夜の終わりのスコアや、長い一日による疲れなどどうでもよかった。それよりも、永遠に大切にしたいと思える喜びの瞬間こそが、何よりも重要だったのだ。人生に向けて準備をし、物事を可能な限り完璧にしようと努力することはできるが、結局のところ、その日がどうなるかは自分のコントロールの及ばない多くの要因に左右される。次から次へと用事をこなし、慌ただしく動き回るだけの、ただ疲れ果てるだけの一日になっていた可能性もあった。しかし、周囲の人たちのおかげで、今日は素晴らしい一日となり、私の人生というゲームにおける一つのフレームで見事なストライクを決めることができたのだ。

~:[CH15 - Day 233]:~ Welcome Back

 

~:[CH15 - Day 233]:~ Welcome Back

After a long Friday at work, I headed to the convention center as they were holding a welcoming for the idols from Japan. It's only been a few weeks since we last worked together, but it was nice to see Yurimaru and Aonyan again. I went to this convention a few years ago, but was attending for a different reason. It was nice to know a lot about the performers and be comfortable with them all. Less than half a year ago, three of the performers I had just met for the first time, yet this time around, I already felt familiar with them. It was nice to see them again. It will be quite the eventful weekend and while it would be nice to finally have a break during a weekend, tonight reminded me that the next few days will be fun while capturing all the wonderful moments from the weekend. 

~:[CH15 - Day 232]:~ Designs in Mind

 
~:[CH15 - Day 232]:~ Designs in Mind

I think my daily grind is all about creativity. I have to come up with ideas for the classroom, see the scene for the photoshoot, or come up with designs for t-shirts, events and more. My brain is constantly moving and creating. For those who don't know, my college degree is actually a bachelors in fine art. I studied mostly photo and video and it's been useful ever since. Sometimes, I hit that mental block or struggle with lighting or focus when photographing, but when I find my groove, a design can pop out in five to ten minutes or photographs just seem to come out just right. I was talking to someone on when they perform the best. It's often when they are focused, yet relaxed. I think sometimes we put to much pressure on ourselves to do something amazing, when in reality, we only need to do what we do. Believe in yourself and don't doubt yourself and the path you designed ahead will await you with open arms. You have what it takes, now you just have to go out and do what you do best! 

~:[CH15 - Day 231]:~ Cooling Off

~:[CH15 - Day 231]:~ Cooling Off

Originally, we didn't have a meeting today, but the schedule shifted and a relaxed morning turned into a busy day. With Homecoming premiere at lunch, after classes, I jetted to the quad to capture the moment. It was great to hear that our theme this year will be Rio. I actually loved that movie and have always wanted to visit Brazil. Despite the heat, the performers did well and introduced this year's theme well. With the heat climbing through the day, I had to cool off and met someone at a tea house nearby. It was nice to chill and relaxed since we had the afternoon off before I headed home to get some work done. The weather has been climbing and I hope that we all find a way to deal with this weather and cool off a bit. Hopefully this weather pattern shifts in two weeks, but if not, we'll all be trying to find a way to cool off a bit. 

~:[CH15 - Day 230]:~ Surprise, Surprise

 
~:[CH15 - Day 230]:~ Surprise, Surprise

On Sunday night, I found out we had our super conference cross country meeting; on Monday, I attended that meeting and today, I wonder what happened. Strangely enough, I anticipated this craziness. Based on my previous experiences, there was always a lot of maneuvering. I liked working with the 605 league teams as we just tended to mesh together (and I sent an email to them to thank them for that). However, moving into this super conference, our 15-20 minute 605 league meetings turned into a 2.5 hour fiasco. One league seemed a bit mixed in what was going on, two leagues (which combined previously) were used to all this, and our league was like, "can we just get this done and go home?" I was exhausted when I got to school today after four consecutive nights coming home after 11pm. However, the day actually went pretty well. I complained about how things went last night, but also thought to myself, what can I do? We roll with the punches and just figure out where to go from here. Our athletes focused on their workout and thus, as coaches, we focused on coaching. At the end of the day, no matter what maneuvering this league does, we have to be ready and prepared and our athletes did just that. We lost a lot of pieces that past few years, however, we can only work to becoming the best version of ourselves and do our best to face up against the rest of the league. I wonder what's ahead, but instead of worrying about it, I just focused in on my work and will worry about the next surprise when the time comes. Don't let these moments drag you down, but rather, just do what you do and let the world around you set itself in place, as there is not much you can do sometimes until the dust settles. 

~:[CH15 - Day 229]:~ How the Days Pass

 
~:[CH15 - Day 229]:~ How the Days Pass

It's not easy getting into the groove of things especially after a long weekend, but you get yourself ready to go. With school in full swing, we've figured out things and I've gotten into a routine. Once you get comfortable, the days tend to zoom on by and I hope that they zoom by quickly as I cherish each moment, while coasting through life. I don't want life to go by quickly, but I also look forward to the many things ahead. The excitement of the days ahead brings us the feeling of anticipation, but before you know it, that moment passes and the wait begins in. The days pass just like that in our lives and if we live too much in the future, we'll allow the present to zoom right past us. Let's truly appreciate each moment of every day and don't allow ourselves to forget that today is truly a present.

~:[CH15 - Day 228]:~ Anxiety

 
~:[CH15 - Day 228]:~ Anxiety

With Day 1 & 2 going so well, there was a bit of anxiety for Day 3. With a popular group performing, I knew that I should arrive a little earlier to avoid the crowds and was worried how it would all work out. It did. The anxiety I had went away and I was able to enjoy the day itself, although the day was filled with it's ups and downs. I got what I needed as I took my break and ventured to the second half, nearing the end of this exhausting weekend. While my position for the evening was kind of poor and I didn't get everything I needed, I still was content for the wonderful weekend. Doing this event comes with a lot of anxiety, but luckily, most of the worries I had were relieved and I can finally move on to the days ahead without worry. I can sometimes be a worrywart, making sure all the bases are taken care of, but at least it ensures that I will be prepared for the worst case scenario. No worst case scenario appeared and the day went smoothly. I felt the exhaustion slowly creep in, but still I enjoyed the entire day. "I made it," I thought to myself. In life, it's okay to be anxious. When important moments come up, we have a reason to worry just a bit, however, to just let it eat us up is where the problems begin. Prepare yourself for what's ahead and anxiety or not, you'll be able to take down most obstacles that come your way. With the weekend wrapped up, I knew I had a busy week of work ahead, but at least I wrapped up what I needed to do this week and had some fun while doing it.

~:[CH15 - Day 227]:~ It Was the Best of Times ...

 

~:[CH15 - Day 227]:~ It Was the Best of Times ...

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The mad rush of people at the start came when the disorganized opening of the event happened. I did my best to avoid it and ended up surviving. The day itself went well. In the morning I met a wonderful mother-daughter pair who chatted with me about various artists and experiences. It was great to connect with such nice people as often, I quietly go about my day. Strangely enough, as I was checking on that same pair after the opening chaos, the person near me saw their icon and asked if I knew them. It was their friend they talked about while we were chatting. It was great to connect with three wonderful people who made the day itself go by so quickly. Ultimately, the performances and experience went well and I was impressed by how I have been holding up these past few days. While there were some crummy experiences here and there, they were fair outweighed by the great experiences I found along the way. When you open yourself up to the world around you, you'll get a mixed bag of experiences, but with the right mindset, you can hopefully connect with more positives than negatives. As Charles Dickens wrote about duality, such is life and it's all a matter of how we handle it that will determine how we see it at the end of the day. At times, it may have felt like the worst of times, but int he end, today was one of the best. 

~:[CH15 - Day 226]:~ As Luck Would Have It ...

 
~:[CH15 - Day 226]:~ As Luck Would Have It ...

It seemed like things wouldn't go well today. The layout was different than I had imagined and so my position wasn't what I thought it would be, but in the end, it worked out. I wasn't feeling 100%, but I dragged myself out and got to work. It would be an exhausting day with a few very popular groups taking the stage. It seems like that would be a good thing (which it is), but it also leads to more effort needed as I have to deal with the crowds. As luck would have it, the spot I had at the artist stage and the countdown ended up being absolutely perfect. Luck sometimes falls in your lap, especially when you least expect it and today, things just worked out. I made a few connections and also captured what I had hoped for and that's all I could ask from a day. The day itself was grueling, but I made it through and with a good amount of energy at the end. I only hope that I can say the same at the end of day 3. Wish me luck!

~:[CH15 - Day 225]:~ It's Time Again

 

~:[CH15 - Day 225]:~ It's Time Again

I forgot to take a pictures of my seniors on the first day of class, but today, we took another photos with a new set of seniors. Every year, I welcome a new senior MUN class and it's always exciting to welcome them back into my classroom. They start their journey with me freshman year and return back senior year. I like this class since I get to teach them about relevant material when we discuss personal finance, laws and government and things that truly impact them. Their ability to respond and give good feedback truly goes a long way with making the class exciting. It's time again to start the cycle with these seniors and I am excited to see where we are headed.

~:[CH15 - Day 224]:~ On Display

 
~:[CH15 - Day 224]:~ On Display

As I thought about what to write today, I was oddly reminded of the game pusoy dos. It was a card game we played often and thinking back, you never knew how the game would play out. When your hand was a bit more challenging and you won, there would be a huge celebration, but when you had a great hand, you also weren't always dealt a victory. With the first day of school arriving, I feel like classes are like the game pusoy dos. No matter what type of combinations you are dealt, you ultimately have to play your hands strategically to get the results you want. I can already tell that there will be some challenges along the way, but thinking about how to properly counter the issues that may be incoming will be a key to success as you prepare yourself as best as possible. As I did my best to put on the best opening day presentations, you always wonder how the year will end up going as this first day beings guiding you in the direction it will go. Best of luck to all starting out their school years!

~:[CH15 - Day 223]:~ Back on Track

 
~:[CH15 - Day 223]:~ Back on Track

It was a little strange to be back at practice after awhile, especially with this day being a tempo workout in the heat. The change over to the afternoon from the mornings can be brutal, but the team looked to adjust well, even on a hot day. It was our last summer practice, as school would begin tomorrow, as it was a full morning of setup with an afternoon of practice and weight room. My body hasn't quite adjusted into the grove quite yet, but I hope that soon enough, my body will be back on track and ready to go. I strangely wasn't nervous about tomorrow, however, I was looking forward to days ahead and the many experiences that awaited. 

~:[CH15 - Day 222]:~ From Dusk 'til Dawn

 
~:[CH15 - Day 222]:~ From Dusk 'til Dawn

It was a pretty packed day. Trying to wake up after all that's been going on was tough, but I did it. I went to our first meeting, set up the classroom, had another meeting with my senior leaders, then went to do some other work at home. It was nice to squeeze in a quick meetup before my evening photoshoot, but it also meant that my day was packed from dusk 'til dawn. I'll always think of the parks signs that said it. I often spent my days in the park wondering exactly when the closing was. There wasn't an exact time, but we would play until we couldn't see anymore. My day today was full like those days as I took photos until the light had passed. We started a bit later than I had hoped and thus we ran out of daylight, still yet, we got the shots we needed. My days ahead will likely be packed like this, but I just hope that in the jam packed days, I enjoy the time that I have. It was tough to adjust, but my few random encountered made it a lot easier to deal with. What memories do you have of playing until the final light of the day?

~:[CH15 - Day 221]:~ TOGETHERNESS

 
~:[CH15 - Day 221]:~ TOGETHERNESS

It ended with a win, but the win wasn't what made the weekend successful. In their first scoring games and their first time traveling for a tournament, the team ended up doing well. There's room to learn and grow, but that's for another time. They were asked at the end, "what was the best part of the trip?" The emphasis was placed on how they had time to spend together. There were definitely moments of struggle, but in the end, they came out with a lot more than just a successfully few games and a medal. In a time where decisions are often made for what is best for me, we start to see that some decisions aren't always the best. Sure, we need to pay attention to our own needs, but knowing how to do things well with others and finding that balance between individuality and loyalty to others is important. It's one of the toughest lines to find. When messaging my friend in Japan, we talked about this concept and how it was good that we have a supportive network setup while helping each other out. It is doing our own thing while raising the others up. Personally, sometimes I lean on the loyalty side a bit too much as I realized while in Japan from time to time, however, I also stepped forward on my own path, not worrying about what others thought. Today was a day where that line between individuality and loyalty was challenged, but that will be a daily discussion and thought for us all. From friends to family, work or other commitments, we will continuously have to find that line and decide where we draw the line in the sand. We arrived home safely despite a few adventures including a power outage in Baker when we needed the restroom most, however, I had a wonderful weekend watching this team learn that despite all the success they had on the court individually and as a team, the time they got to spend together was the one thing they should treasure most and may be the thing that helps them progress the most.