~:[CH15 - Day 90]:~ She Rained On Our Parade

 
~:[CH15 - Day 90]:~ She Rained On Our Parade

I think it was a sign from the baseball gods. I swore I wouldn't be in Dodgers Stadium, but this Yoshi was too cute. It was more expensive to buy it online than to go to the game, so when the opportunity came up, I snagged it. My friend linked me up with a pregame tour and I almost missed it. One reason I said I would never go to Dodgers Stadium is due to the traffic and parking. It was true. Thirty minutes to get from the off-ramp to the parking lot entrance. 1/10. The tour itself was great as I was finally able to relax after rushing into the stadium as I tried to find the tour starting area. I found it. After walking through the tour, I took photos at the bullpen before heading to right field where my seat was. Another sign from the baseball gods arrived. A lady walked in hollering at me that I was in her seat. I may have been slightly to the right of my number as someone had something next to me, but she was yelling as if I had stole her purse or something. I ignored it. I slid over and just watched the game. She left and when she came back, she dropped her food and then knocked someone else's food (on purpose), blaming him for dropping her food. She complained about how bad the food was anyway and had a whole ordeal with her boyfriend. They left temporarily, thankfully, as we all took a sigh of relief (for now). Of course, when she left, it started to rain. Then she came back to bother everyone in a number of ways. Her boyfriend went somewhere and her sister sat down and her tune changed a bit as she said how wonderful the food at baseball stadiums were and how she knew someone who moved up from the G-League (I almost spit out my water.) that is now on the Giants. For those who don't know sports, the G-League is in basketball. With the rain coming down and my fear of the parking lots, I left after the seventh and wished good luck to the guys sitting next to me, who I bonded with over the situation. I wanted to explain all that happened since I think it would fully express the experience I had during the game, probably the worst at any event. However, despite it all, the situation allowed me to make a few new connections, I still had collected the item I had gone there for, and I snapped some wonderful photos of Ohtani. I was a little wet as I drove home, but I rewarded myself (since I wouldn't dare leave my seat in fear of upsetting my neighbor) with the Huntrix meal and added a happy meal, which strangely had Yoshi on the box to match my Yoshi from the game. People can try to ruin your day or disturb your comfort, however, they can only rain on your parade if you let them. Sure, she was hard to ignore, but at the end of the day, I focused in on the game and just took what I could from the experience. Of course, it may be true that the baseball gods were punishing me, but even if so, I didn't let it ruin my overall experience. In a few years, I'm sure I'll still look back on this day and remember how bad the experience was. I'll remember all she said and all she did, which will probably deter me from going back to Dodgers Stadium again. Still yet, I will chuckle and laugh a bit thinking of how miserable I was at the time, yet still managed to have a wonderful day, ending with a late night snack from McDonalds and my KPOP Demon Hunters, which became my umbrella to protect me from the rain.

~:[CH15 - Day 89]:~ It's Okay to Get Lost

 
~:[CH15 - Day 89]:~ It's Okay to Get Lost

I've made a wrong turn and feared for my life before, but have you ever made a wrong turn and discovered something immaculate? As my runners may face that same detour on a run, my students I have as a whole experience this when they leave the halls of our school. Many have a direction in which they want to go and end up at that destination, but many thing they know where they want to go, but end up somewhere completely different. They get lost and distracted and that's okay. Obviously, they'll need to find their way back, but there is nothing wrong with a little detour to discover more about yourself and what you do and don't want to do in life. I think our lives right now are about efficiency and doing things as quickly as possible, but somethings take time to figure out. Like marinating a piece of meat, you can't rush the process and often times, discovering oneself is like that. After practice, I met up with an alum who contacted me out of the blue, which may have been ten years since I last met him. It was great to catch up and talk and discover the route he's traveled. He felt like he took a bit longer to get where he is and still hasn't found the destination he wants to be at, but I know he'll be okay. He has the drive to keep him searching for the path he wants to be on and I am confident that he'll find his way. Get lost in life as that's the best way to discover where you'll want to go in the future. 

~:[CH15 - Day 88]:~ AI-less

 
~:[CH15 - Day 88]:~ AI-less

"Change her eyes blue." I probably could type something into AI and make this change, but I'm a bit old fashioned an manually went in and made the edit as I was creating my post for Instagram. It made me think, what will science and technology allow us to do in the future? The world of possibilities exist, however, we also teeter on a future that may be detrimental to our future generations. If you don't learn AI, you'll get left behind, but if you don't know how to operate without AI, you'll lack the skills to determine if what is produced is of quality. I'll definitely invest some time into using AI, however, I will also avoid depending on AI as best as possible, using the skills I have to create the best product possible. It's anyone's choice whether to use it or not, but it's definitely something you should consider, as our world is rapidly changing and now is the time to learn what tools are at your disposal. As a teacher, my job will become incredibly tough finding that balance, my only hope is I can walk that tight rope and ensure that my students are prepared for a world ahead both with and without AI. 

~:[CH15 - Day 87]:~ The Joys of Coaching

 
~:[CH15 - Day 87]:~ The Joys of Coaching

I'll remember him as the one guy I picked out of the group and voluntold him to do the 300H. I did give him a choice, but he excitingly agreed to do it. He scored points for us and helped us win. I picked him because he was in sprints and jumps and with that combination, you could figure that he could run hurdles, but what I wasn't expecting is the enthusiasm he accepted it with. He challenged himself and even added the event to his schedule during an invitational and he ended up with the joyous moment of taking home a medal. I want to save this photo for some time, as when I look at it, I find the joy in coaching that keeps you motivated to keep doing it. There are frustrating moments, even some today, but there are also moments that leave you so happy, that the feeling is indescribable. It's always great to be on top of the podium, but still yet, the joys of coaching don't come from winning, they come from appreciating those who truly appreciate the opportunity, who put their best foot forward, who go above and beyond, and who uplift others. When I see athletes who display some of these traits, I am appreciative and my motivation to keep going for another day, remains. I hope that in our lives, we can do this, so that we can help ourselves and those around us, maintain their motivation to do something that they love and find the joy in it all. It's probably easier said that done, but today, I did find some of that joy, even when we were midway through a marathon 14 hour day. I came home exhausted from a long meet day, where I also had a quick event to attend to, but still yet, I came home looking forward to our next meet and another meet to find that joy that I found today. 

~:[CH15 - Day 86]:~ As Time Passes By ...

 
~:[CH15 - Day 86]:~ As Time Passes By ...

I've talked about how our past memories have a special place in our lives. One of those groups for me is our basketball coaches. Together, we've had a riot. Yes, we got into a lot of different shenanigans, but years later, we still find a way to stay connected. I am not great at keeping in contact, but I was glad to join this group as they celebrated the birthday of one of the group who I've known for the majority of my life. As time passes by, I hope that our memories will remain alive as it's always fun to talk about all of our past experiences together. While only a few still coach together, we are still forever interconnected by a locker full of memories that I doubt will be forgotten any time soon. One day, we'll uncover all of the old pictures and videos we have from the past or relive various experiences we've had, such as something as simple as eating at Spoons, but until then, I hope that at least our text chain will keep buzzing and we can share our precious moments together as time keeps ticking by.

~:[CH15 - Day 85]:~ Creating Connections

 
~:[CH15 - Day 85]:~ Creating Connections

It can sometimes be exhausting, but all that effort is well worth it when you see the interactions between the students from Cerritos and Tezukayama. With gift bags to assemble and plans to make, there is a lot to think about, but at the end of the day, with the help of so many, it makes the day a wonderful one for all. This year, was a little bit chaotic with us coming back from New York the weekend prior and both of our classes being quite large, but it ended up working out as the students figured it out. We had to do a little poking and prodding to get them to interact, but once we did, they began to get a lot more comfortable. I think life is about this, creating connections. People often ask me how I make connections. As someone who is more introverted, it can be difficult, but still yet, when I involve myself in various activities such as these, the connections begin to grow exponentially. Making a connection can lead to many more and thus, I think it's valuable when these students can connect with someone, especially when they are all the way in Japan. Most of them may chat a little and slowly lose contact, but who knows, maybe over time, they will maintain these connections and maybe even meet again one day. It's my hope. For now though, at least they got to share their cultures, learn from each other, and create memories to last a lifetime. Thanks to all those who were involved in the process and dealt with all the chaos!

~:[CH15 - Day 84]:~ Welcome Back

 
~:[CH15 - Day 84]:~ Welcome Back

We always tend to get the most visitors this time of  year. With spring break on going, a number of alum stop by to say hello. We were graced with the presence of a few of them who swung by to say hello at practice. It was nice to catch up and see how things were going, as while I had a number of things to do for tomorrow, it was worth it to say hello. I think one of the joys of my job is the reunion I get with faces of past and present. When in New York, I ran into a familiar face at the airport and while walking through the streets of SoHo. While some are planned, I have a number of random encounters as I am in various places. It's strange, but also kind of cool. As the spring break season begins to wrap up, everyone will go back to their normal routines, but even a short encounter is a great motivation to my day, knowing how putting in the effort every day will prompt these random reunions.

~:[CH15 - Day 83]:~ Sometimes, It Just Clicks

 
~:[CH15 - Day 83]:~ Sometimes, It Just Clicks

What was I thinking? I had picture day scheduled a few days after I got back from New York. The struggle of having a picture day is always real, but a few days after trying to get back into the swing of things is tough. Of course, with the deadline looming, it was a must and so we went with it. Luckily, things were taken care of when I was away and for the most part, things ran smoothly. As usually, I had to get their attention a few times, but for the most part, people knew the drill and things just flowed. Sometimes, things that are often a struggle just click and today was one of those days. I was happy to be able to wrap up the picture day as quickly as we did and the struggle of it all passed away fairly quickly, if existent at all. There are a lot of things on the agenda as we head forward, still yet, another day, means another day closer to a short, little break.

~:[CH15 - Day 82]:~ An Afternoon Stroll

 
~:[CH15 - Day 82]:~ An Afternoon Stroll

It's funny because when I walk, I am always walking like I am on a mission. I can't remember the last time I had a leisurely stroll. That's kind of how my day was. When I come back from being out for a conference, a meet, or a shoot, I always hit the ground running. Today, in three classes, I ran one of my activities that takes the most energy and talking. Good choice? Not really, but a choice I often make. With so much going on, I always have to make use of my time and often don't find time for that afternoon leisurely stroll, which I should take. My life is like this. It's overwhelming for most, but for me, being busy is my afternoon stroll. I stayed up late last night, finishing my edits on a photoset and woke up to try and wrap up the second set. I didn't finish, but later on in the day, I did. I felt good, just like I took a leisurely stroll. With a little warmth, the team ended up heading on a ten miler around the city. It was nice to drive around again and watch the athletes move from point to point. I am glad to see a lot of progress among the underclassmen and hope that we can grow our girls team. For them, this may also feel like an afternoon stroll through the park, as it allows them to free their stress and chat with their friends. For all of us, let's find our own way to get that feel of an afternoon stroll, whether it be active, relaxing, busy, or whatnot. Don't let others cramp your style and do things the way that is most comforting for you. I wrapped up the night tying together some loose ends from the trip and catching up on my Japanese class. While I do enjoy a day here and there to watch Kdramas or just chill, my preference is making the most of my time, hitting the ground running. 

~:[CH15 - Day 81]:~ On Cloud ...

 
~:[CH15 - Day 81]:~ On Cloud ... 

Without revealing too much, I had a wonderful shoot today in LA. I dreaded having to wake up early to get to the shoot, but once we wrapped, I was glad we did it. It was wonderful to work with such an experienced model who made it easy to capture the moment. It didn't start well as the elevator doesn't work on weekends, thus, I had to carry all of my equipment up five flights of stairs, but my training in Japan must have helped, as I made it up (I wouldn't say with ease). The studio made me feel like I was up in the clouds and the pictures matched that theme as they ended up being quite dreamy. While I wish I could share the set of photos I created, this is the best I can give you. Today was supposed to be my recovery day, but after the shoot, I sorted through photos and caught up on messages and other work. Still yet, I was happy to scroll through my set and glad that I had wrapped up this latest trip successfully. I guess I've gotten used to this on-the-go type schedule and because of it, I've been able to have so many more experiences than I could have imagined. While my schedule is not for everyone, I hope that you all at least take more opportunities when they are presented, as often times, they lead to blessings you never could imagine. Have a wonderful week ahead!

~:[CH15 - Day 80]:~ Not Just Another One

 
~:[CH15 - Day 80]:~ Not Just Another One

It's easy to say, "another one," but it's not just another one. Every year, I take our juniors to the National High School Model UN Conference in New York. We've done well when we've attended this conference, so the common response is that it's a given. Every year, I remind students that it's not. Just because a group received an award before, doesn't mean they will as well. They often do not see the work that is put in behind the scenes, collecting hundreds of documents, attending hours of grills, and the emotional rollercoaster tied to the preparation and conference. I always hear the comment that they shudder in fear when I am around, but part of my job is to keep the fire lit underneath them so they can perform their best on this stage. It's not just another delegation award they are coming home with, it's their delegation award that they earned and deserved to be praised for. This group as freshmen were definitely a challenge and even through this process, they proved that there were some areas needed to be worked on, but in the end, they worked on many of those areas and came out with two delegation awards, the Award of Distinction in Debate and the Award of Excellence in Research and Preparation. Although this group had a little trouble coming on time, they connected well together, they stepped up and helped each other when obstacles arose, and they ended up pushing through at the very end. Every year, I trek to New York, but this trip is not just another one, but it's a experience that is unique from all previous trips with the various personalities, experiences, and emotions. At the end of the day, they returned with their delegation award, but it's not just another one, but a special award that belongs to this group, earned through all the time and effort that they put in to be their best at this very moment. Congratulations to our junior MUNers!

~:[CH15 - Day 79]:~ Time to Chill

 

~:[CH15 - Day 79]:~ Time to Chill

The students exhaustedly dragged themselves to committee in the morning for the final day of actual committee. They actually had more energy than I expected them to have. It was fun watching them keep debating in committee and stay active, pushing until the last moment. As typical, I dragged dozens of cookies down Amsterdam and brought them to the students whose faces lit up as they walked out. My sore arm was worth it. It's wonderful how a small sweet treat can brighten someone's day. They successfully finished the conference and to my surprise, they collected a good number of awards and ten people will be speaking at plenary tomorrow. With conference wrapped up, the students finally got to relax a bit and enjoyed Times Square and the social after. While this group has not been good at arriving on time, they are quite the social butterflies and connected well with each other. They definitely enjoyed these chill moments, but maybe a little too much.

~:[CH15 - Day 78]:~ What's Right, What's Wrong

 ~:[CH15 - Day 78]:~ What's Right, What's Wrong

One of our alumni stepped back into the play arena as he appeared on the cast of Data. He played the role of a very assertive boss and his MUN spirit emerged as the dialogue felt like an unmoderated caucus. The short play aligned perfectly with our schedule and I was grateful to catchba glimpse of how things on stage have changed over time for him. I think the plays storyline brought up a few points of what exactly is right and what is wrong. Where do you draw the line between maintaining your status quo and comfort versus doing the right thing which may leave you in a disadvantage? I think a lot of people today need to think about that as they are tested on if they want to maintain their morals, ethics, and personal standards or stay loyal due to their job, leader, mentor, etc. In the end, only you can decide what is right and wrong, but I hope that we can all take a step back and look at the full picture to determine whether or not we are traveling on the path that meets what we hold true. Yesterday, Senator Mitt Romney addressed the students at NHSMUN and hoped that our politicians can do a better job working across party lines and find solutions rather than simply following blindly, often abandoning their own path they wish to take. The moments will come when you have to make those decisions and as tough as these moments will be, I hope you are able to make a decision that allows you to remain true to what you hold dear. Only then can it truly be right. 

~:[CH15 - Day 77]:~ Frozen in Time

 

~:[CH15 - Day 77]:~ Frozen in Time

It's a little weird that I come back year after year, as many things seem frozen in time as they always stay the same. My students, on the other hand, were just frozen as we wandered out to Little Islands and the Vessel before going to the Mission of Japan to the United Nations. I felt a little bad, but still yet, it gives them a reality dose of the east coast. However, for me, the stories of each of these students doesn't pass with that frigid breeze, rather they stay right here, frozen, and are unearthed everytime I pass through the doors of the Hilton. My students often ask me, "don't you get bored of ..." this or that in relation to New York, but as much as the schedule seems frozen and repetitive, there's something intriguing about each year from the personalities, the obstacles, the ups and downs, and the stories. We ended the night in dramatic fashion as a water pipe burst above two of our rooms, it ended up being another story andd memory that I'll recall each and every time I return. Overall, we survived EVERYTHING that was thrown our ways and in some ways, our struggles brought us all closer together. 

~:[CH15 - Day 76]:~ Four Leaf Clovers

 

~:[CH15 - Day 76]:~ Four Leaf Clovers

It was St. Patrick's Day and we were walking to the MET. it was perfect as the parade was running along 5th in front of the museum so we could catch a glimpse. Even more amazing, later that evening, we would be watching Wicked. A very green day. When we think of this day, it's often associated with four leaf covers among other things. These types of clover are often considered lucky. Today's alignment may have been a bit of luck, but in life, we often spend our time chasing things that take a bit of luck, whereas we could use that time and energy on improving our skills instead. As while it's great to get lucky, when we build our skills, our chances od getting lucky grow exponentially. We improve our skills, our status, and give ourselves a better chance at getting "lucky." Let's accept the luck that comes our way, but don't depend on luck. Give yourself a better chance at having luck come your way by improving who you are. As while you may win that drawing with a single ticket, the more tickets you hold, the better your odds. Same goes for life, when we expand our skills, our true four leaf clover, our chances of success grow exponentially. Happy St. Patty's Day.

~:[CH15 - Day 75]:~ The Root of It All

 

~:[CH15 - Day 75]:~ The Root of It All

I always love this day as we ventured to the UN and they get to walk through the halls of what brought them all together - the United Nations. It was kind of cool that the Secretary-General was giving a speech while we were on our tour while the Security Council was discussing Afghanistan and nuclear disarmament. It was also cool that we were representing Japan and a group of students from Japan were on the tours ahead of us. Our tour guide was quite detailed which was nice. After enjoying our Grand Central lunch, we ventured to the Natural History museum. I always speed run through the museum since I've been there so many times, but I always seems to run across something new while I am there. We ended the evening recovering from the exhausting few days as the students finished up their homework. I am a little worried since many said they finished their work (or what was posted) and I am hoping that the teachers don't post all their homework in the latter half of the week, as the kids pretty much work round the clock from Wednesday. I guess they truly get a delegate's experience during this conference as they must debate these issues through these long and exhausting sessions. Walking through the halls of the UN never gets old and seeing the look on the faces of the students is truly what brings joy tp me while on this trip. 

~:[CH15 - Day 74]:~ A Time to Reflect

 
~:[CH15 - Day 74]:~ A Time to Reflect

I think I always seem to talk about reflection as we visit the 9/11 Memorial. For an event that these students were not alive for, they see the catastrophe that happened right where they stand. The incredible reconstruction of the timeliness of events almost makes them feel as if they can be placed there and fell the emotions of that day. I wonder if it helps them feel the weight of this entire day from the immigrants who entered Ellis Island, the excitement as they passed the Statue of Liberty, the suffering of those who lost during 9/11, or the struggles of those who helped raised the skyscrapers of this city which tower over the rink of Central Park. There is so much history stored within this city, it's unfathomable.  However, in all those stories, there is a chance to reflect, a chance to appreciate, and a chance to learn. I always love coming to New York as while I doubt I could live here, showing students around here for a week every year allows me to appreciate the city more and remember all the great memories I created here. In twenty years, when these students come with their families, I hope they remember their experiences here and reflect on all that they experienced and learned during this week. 

~:[CH15 - Day 73]:~ The Light That Shines

 

~:[CH15 - Day 73]:~ The Light That Shines

Was it going to be a bad trip? Our group arrived on time and the process was smooth, but as we landed, turbulence was pretty rough. In the end, we landed safely and the day ran smoothly. While you want everything to go 100%, when things come your way, you hope that they're manageable.  By night's end, everything worked out for the most part. As we peered out over the city, we noticed that this group enjoyed capturing photos and being together. It was fun to capture various shots with the beautiful city lights behind. I always love it when I capture shots that will be treasured down the line. As I sorted through the photos, I smiled appreciating the shot here and there that I liked. Tomorrow, I'll aim to capture another good et tomorrow. I peered out one more time from the Empire State Bulding before we left, as most people cleared out due to the chilly winds. I appreciated to beautiful view and the lights that shined, as just hours ago we were flying and landing just behind the view I was looking at. I hope we all find those beautiful views and moments in life and treasure them dearly.

~:[CH15 - Day 72]:~ The Rush into the Weekend

 

~:[CH15 - Day 72]:~ The Rush into the Weekend

It was a minimum day as our quarter ended. It was a bit of a rush as we went through each period. With an early departure, I had planned on getting coverage, but the minimum day made it so that it was unreasonable to do so. It meant that I would rush out after class. Luckily, I made it just as the races were starting up although I missed the start of a few field events, but for the most part, I caught everything up until the 300H. I was glad to be able to catch these races before I left and there were a number of solid performances including PRs and even left with a few medals. It's been a chaotic run into Nationals with so much going on, but I guess it my life, I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is limited in time and so not why fill it up and make the most of the moments we have.

~:[CH15 - Day 71]:~ The Whirlwind

 
~:[CH15 - Day 71]:~ The Whirlwind

There's been a lot going on lately and trying to keep everything in line has been quite the challenge, especially with my current schedule. With one of our coaches on jury duty, it put a little more on the plate, on top of my car failing me this week. I remembered everything for the assembly, I finished up my sub plans and printed all the paperwork for the trip, while prepping for tomorrow and next week's meets. I picked up everything I needed to a little ahead of schedule. Go figure. Surviving the shortened schedule, events, and this and that, the whirlwind settled, tossing a few things out of place, but leaving things mostly the same. The storms of life can sometimes be devasting, but sometimes just be a little bit of a nuisance. While life was a little bit challenging this week, I think it was nice to be able to find my way through this storm and make it through to another day. Next week will be another true test as we fly out for Nationals in New York, but just like I did this week and most others weeks, I'll trust that I can figure it out and find my way through the whirlwind of life. As while it may not always be pleasant, if you know who you are and believe in yourself, you can weather any storm. I read a post from a friend and it left me a little heartbroken. However, I am confident that the friend will conquer the storm she is facing, because I know how strong she is. The world around us may try to tear us down, but together, we can withstand it and build something even greater, every time the storms challenge us. Even when the storms are devastating, knowing that you have it in you to withstand it, as you have a crowd behind you helping you fight the storms ahead. 

~:[CH15 - Day 70]:~ Withering Bloom

 

~:[CH15 - Day 70]:~ Withering Bloom

I stopped and took a step back to take a picture of this flower. At first, it appeared like it was freshly bloomed, but then I realized it started to slightly wither away. On a day I focused in, getting my last few things together, I paused. I looked around me and realized that time will never wait for us. I think for many of us, we feel the excruciating pain of a slow day as we hope for it to speed on by. When in reality, we don't realize how fast the world around us is moving. We feel like we're walking, but the world is actually accelerating like the moon orbiting the earth. I paused and thought of my family and how quickly time has passed and how I only wish I could slow down this pace to a screeching halt to enjoy these precious moments. Unfortunately, the moon will continue its orbit and life will move on at full speed. I doubt I am prepared for what lies ahead of me, but life is like that. It's unpredictable. Online they post the timeframes for all the blooms of the cherry blossoms across from Japan. Even weeks or days before, they still can find themselves off, just like how we can never predict life. When things in life will bloom and when they will wither, we will never know. As I took a glance at my parents, I realized how much time had passed and how much I should treasure the time we have left together. I need to stop and take that step back like I did today and capture that moment while I still can. In life, it can often feel like we want to get to the next big thing, but when we get there, we'll probably realize we missed the biggest thing that was right in front of us this entire time. Treasure all the things we often overlook, as before we know it, those things we forgot to treasure will vanish before our very eyes. Love and live like it's your last, as you never will know what tomorrow will bring. Enjoy the bloom as time slowly withers away.

~:[CH15 - Day 69]:~ Any Which Way

 
~:[CH15 - Day 69]:~ Any Which Way

I was a bit confused. For some reason, I thought today was "Pi Day" (3/14), but as I was about to write today, I realized that it wasn't. I first thought, I must have misnumbered, which happens often, but then I looked at the date in the corner of my computer and gave myself a facepalm. That's life. You get thrown off when things are busy, but what can you do other than get yourself refocused and back on track. Today was a little chaotic as I was preparing myself for something I volunteered for, a fundraiser for Cash 4 Cancer. This is actually where my confusion began. When I saw it, I thought "Pi Day," when it was just pie day. I guess to my own defense, it is the week of Pi Day, but it took me a second to realize, today is March 10. Still yet, I was happy to volunteer to get pied at lunch to raise money for Cash 4 Cancer. It's always been a priority from the days that it was called Pennies 4 Patients. We always focused in on it and I ended up producing fun parody songs as a reward. This was a bit different. I was a little worried that the students might get a little too aggressive, but to avoid any issues, they kept a barrier and had the students toss their pies towards us. I did want them to feel satisfied, so I moved my seat up a bit and paid the price. Luckily, their aim wasn't the greatest, but it was fun when someone actually hit me. In the end, we raised money for a good cause, even though we made a bit of a mess in the process. I was able to sneak home and rinse of really quickly before practice. While the smell and remnants of pie day were washed away, I am glad that it was another memory that has been ingrained in my mind and that I will carry with me forever. Aside from the laughs and joy of the day, it was a day where we did good for those who need it. I think back to the day when my MUN advisor told our class, "I went to the City of Hope and they said I had no hope" when he was battling cancer and my only hope is that all these things we do can give someone else hope and possible the cure to change their life forever. Any which way, let's find a way to help others to help raise each other up. 

~:[CH15 - Day 68]:~ What a Brake

 
~:[CH15 - Day 68]:~ What a Brake

It was bad timing. Saturday, I noticed some noise when I was driving. Yesterday, I noticed that it wasn't urgent to be looked at. Today, I took it in. The good things is that my car was fixed, the bad thing was it was additional time taken out of my day and an added expense. However, things happen. You can't plan for when things will go wrong, so you just have to be ready. You have to flow with how things in life go and hope that all goes smoothly. As I monitored the athletes as they ran their loops today, I took a stop and noticed this beautiful dandelion in the grass. They always seem to catch my eye. It's wonderful to see them full formed. Of course, at some point, the wind will blow and the seeds will fly way, bound to reappear again. Just like the dandelion, life will tear us apart, but it gives us a chance to emerge again, rising up from the ground on which we were tossed. While today was actually a load of stress off my shoulders, it seemed to leave me exhausted. Regardless, it was nice to know that the next time I drive, I won't have to deal with the worry and stress I had this weekend and that I can go back to floating along with the winds that life brings. With all going on, I decided to put aside a bit of the workload I had to do today and allow myself some time to let my mind rest and recover, so it can be read to sprout again. When life is overwhelming, allow yourself that break. Sometimes, life gives you signs and when it does, take notice. 

~:[CH15 - Day 67]:~ Workdays

 
~:[CH15 - Day 67]:~ Workdays

I was thinking about going to Little Tokyo today to catch the festival going on, but my car was having a bit of trouble and I had a pile of work to finish by Thursday. It meant a workday. After class in the morning, I got to work. I was suppose to get my taxes done today, but with a pile of editing to do, a few odds and ends here and there, my day disappeared. I don't really mind that I worked through the day as I already was tired form losing an hour and it felt good to get things off the to-do list with the New York trip upcoming. There was a pile of Pokemon cards that I wanted to get put away today, but that will also have to wait for another day. One of the coolest cards in the stack was this one. I've already proclaimed my love for this set and card after beautiful card keep appearing. I guess looking at it was my reward. This will be a busy week of getting things done, however, most of the week will be dedicated to being ready for New York this weekend. Who's in New York? I hope you all had a successful weekend, whether you got work done, took an adventure, or just lounged and recovered. Do things that make you the happiest, as while someone may say to me, "why did you work all weekend?" I would probably reply with, "why wouldn't I." 

~:[CH15 - Day 66]:~ In God We Trust

 
~:[CH15 - Day 66]:~ In God We Trust

It was a blessed evening. I was invited by one of my former students to an event he organized. I remember when he first started planning it and he talked about what he was creating and how it would start in a smaller space. In just a short time, he grew that idea in his mind into something grand. As I sat in the Irvine Bethel Church, I was proud to be watching this production he created and to hear the message that was being passed on. They talked about how the performers were from different areas, with different background, some coming from as far as Mexico or South Korea, but they all spoke the same language. The mentioned how these performances were all for the Lord, as they gave all parts of themselves - mind, body, and soul. As the pastor closed out the service, she talked about the struggles we are facing. The war, the hate, and all the sins of the world. She talked about how the new generations competed for likes and fame, rather than what they truly should be focused on. She then asked for a new generation to lead to the way to guide those around them to the promise land. One performer closed their set by saying, this is what it will feel like when we are dancing together in heaven. Whether you are religious or not though, I think the message of this evening can be conveyed to anyone. We live in tough times. We live in competitive For each of us, we need to focus on doing the right thing, being kind togethers, and doing things, not for likes and fame, but from the goodness of our heart. We need to pass on the positive vibes, selflessness, and good spirit that this world should be filled with. The world is so polarized between races, religions, gender, orientations, and locations among other things that we failed to see that we all are from the same mold, the human race. We may speak thousands of different tongues, but kindness and compassion is a language we can all understand. As I sat through each performance, it was great to watch my former students and others I knew perform and give themselves to something they believed in. They did so while connecting with those around them. It was in God that they put their full faith and you could see that they put their all into worshipping Him. Regardless, however, people of all faiths, denominations, or even those who are atheists, can live by the same message - love, kindness, and compassion. It's easy to judge, easy to hate, and easy to isolate, but it's just as easy to accept, to love, and to accept. It's a choice and while we live in a world of sides, while don't we make it into a world of sides that help create a foundation for all of us to stand together. In the many stories we heard, Jesus invited the most scorned to his side. He did not judge, he did not hate, he did not isolate. Much like God accepts us all, we must be willing to lend our hands to those around us. I've always found it interesting that on our money, "In God We Trust" is on there. Not because of it's religious context, but because money tends to be seen as materialistic and the root of all evil. I often have seen this as just a label, as if we truly trust in God, our actions will be what demonstrates who we are. Can we be considered a people and country of God based on our actions? Instead of simply having a phrase or label, I hope our actions speak to who we are as people and as a country. As we closed out the night, I was overjoyed to see how it all turned out and how each of these performers gave all of themselves to exclaim that it was in God they trusted. Whether or not it's in God you trust or not, I hope that we can trust in this human race and show love, show kindness, and show compassion to all people. Instead of just being a phrase on a dollar bill or a label to our names, I hope we can truly be people who can make this world a better place for all people. 

~:[CH15 - Day 65]:~ Sleight of Hand

 
~:[CH15 - Day 65]:~ Sleight of Hand

I love food runs. I used to have a different system for selecting boba winners, but now, it's all by luck of the draw. I give away boba to our team and select them by selecting cards. It's adds a little fun to the day and excitement for when they win. As we wrapped up, I showed a few card tricks. When you think of magic, you are often in awe of what you just saw, when in reality, they're often illusions. It takes skill and years of practice, but once you get it, you can wow those around you. I think juggling things in life is the same. It's a sleight of hand. You make it look easy every time you do it, but a lot of it is because of all the experience you have. Does it take any less work, maybe just a little, but the trick is, that you know what to do and it takes a lot of the stress of the table. It truly is the busy season for me right now as we kick off track season, wrap up prep for Nationals and just have the normal school routine, but I keep my cool because of all the experience. The reality is, nothing just happens. All the planning and organization doesn't happen by itself, but it seems to sail by because now I can make it look much easier. For all of us, we have that thing that we make look easy, but I hope that you are appreciated for all the work you up in to making it that way and all the work you put in that isn't seen. For all of us, we're skilled at this sleight of hand in some fashion, but the truth is, things don't just magically happen, at least most of the time. Have a magical weekend.

~:[CH15 - Day 64]:~ Speeding Through the Night

 
~:[CH15 - Day 64]:~ Speeding Through the Night

Meet days are quite the stressor. It seems like it would be relaxing, but since I can remember, I've been in charge of the meets. It's fun, but there are a lot of things to remember. When packing my car, I go through my mental checklist. Canopies, clipboards, speakers, cameras, paperwork, etc. ... did I forget anything? There's always something. It's nice since I get to interact with athletes from all the schools, but you always worry something is going to go wrong. Today, our starters were easy to work with, the meet ran smoothly and despite losing a huge chunk of athletes last year, we actually held our own and swept the meet once again. Things may be different at the next cluster, but for today, I will soak it all in and appreciate that things just sped a lot. There were a lot of things to celebrate and while there are still things to fix, I was proud. I sent a list of things of good and bad to the team and I hope that it helps guide them towards what they need to work on for the next meet. As while we sped through today's meet, we can't always expect that kind of experience in the future. There's a lot to work on and more to build as we head into the future, but for now, I'll appreciate that we took care of business today. I unloaded my car, a ritual that happens after every meet, as I put away all that filled my car earlier in the day. It's a little soothing as it helps me realize that everything is wrapped up for now. As I do, I dream about jumping into the shower and eating a nice meal as I wrap everything else up on the computer. As I do, I feel the aches and pains of the day, but also can reflect on the various moments I can truly appreciate. 

~:[CH15 - Day 63]:~ Irregardless

 
~:[CH15 - Day 63]:~ Irregardless

We were closing out our preparations for our meet tomorrow with the deadline entries for two meets looming. I finished the first edits for two projects, so I already had a load off my shoulders and by around 9pm, the remainder of that load disappeared. With this person and that person mentioning what they wanted changed and with a night MUN session for Nationals, it was an amazingly hectic start to the week, but regardless, I keep moving forward. As I mentioned previously, with each piece that I finish, there seems to be more satisfaction and when things get stressful, I try to brush it off and stay focused. I think when you're in these roles, you need two qualities. You need to have thick skin as you're going to catch a lot of the responsibility and have to deal with a lot and also, you need to have perseverance, ready to withstand all that comes your way. Regardless of what has been thrown at me, whether overwhelming, discouraging, challenging or more, I can see the road ahead and I keep pushing forward. Don't let things drag you down and keep working and keep focused. Do what you can and even if you don't reach where you wanted to go, you can be satisfied knowing you did all you could regardless of what tried to hold you back. If you do that, there's no reason why you can't call that success. This team has faced some challenges in what could be seen as a rebuilding year, but no matter what the outcome is tomorrow, I'll be proud of all the effort they put in to improve themselves and give themselves the best shot possible.

~:[CH15 - Day 62]:~ If You Only Knew ...

 
~:[CH15 - Day 62]:~ If You Only Knew ...

If you watch a show, it looks smooth and tidy. Little do you know that behind the scenes, people are running around, those on stage frantically do a change, and someone is trying to hold that ship together. Everything in life is like that. When a family goes out, nobody sees that frantic morning as they try to get out of the house on time or the office when a deadline is looming. Track and field is kind of like that. I like track and field because there are a variety of events. I hate track and field because there are so many events. When I go online to register, trying to keep it all in order is quite chaotic. It's easy to miss someone or to overlook this and that and you can only pray that you did everything correctly. Most likely, you didn't. Did you remember to order spikes? Are your poles all ready and do you have the proper paperwork? Did you enter all the marks correctly? I'm a numbers guy, so at times it's kind of fun and I am fairly good at guesstimating when needed, however, running this ship is like that backstage. As I sat back a bit and watched the athletes from various areas complete their workouts, I wrapped up handing out jerseys, before heading home to get back to work. Editing and sorting entries, I was trying to get everything in line on top of all the MUN prep for Nationals next weekend. It's been a whirlwind, but actually, I am not too stressed. It's been strangely satisfying and you know that life isn't going too shabby when you feel like this. It would be nice to be laying in a hammock enjoying the cool breeze after work, but where else will you feel the satisfaction of completing everything unless you position yourself right in the middle of the chaos. It may be better if you don't know, but if you know, you know.

~:[CH15 - Day 61]:~ A Little Crazy

 
~:[CH15 - Day 61]:~ A Little Crazy

It wasn't just a little crazy, it was chaotic. As I tried to get focused on what I needed to finish this week, I knew that every waking moment would be spent finishing stuff up. From prepping for our first week of meets to getting classes in line, and of course editing all the media from the past week, there was a little sense of being overwhelmed, but I tried to stay calm. I focused in and took on one task at a time. I collected meet registrations and began to organize them, I handed out the majority of the jerseys, and I finished 2/3 of what I needed to for editing I was content by night's end. While a good night's sleep will do me well, I thought today would be worse, but it ended up changing from chaotic back to just a little crazy. When life looks like it will be overwhelming, look at it piece by piece and don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed. You can tackle the big obstacle ahead of you, you just need to take a second to break it all down to make the impossible, a little bit less. 

~:[CH15 - Day 60]:~ A Quick Glance

 
~:[CH15 - Day 60]:~ A Quick Glance

If time permits, I always allow a little time to go exploring. Time permitted. As I picked out the flights in their budget range, I found one that had a long layover in Taiwan. It was a nice place to stop over and thus, I decided to take it. I landed in the early afternoon, met a friend for lunch, then explored the city and the market. I was completely exhausted as my friend wanted to take me around after his concert, which resulted in all of us going straight to the airport. With no sleep, I took a nap on the plan and energized for my venture around the city. It was worth it. I had two meals and truly enjoyed the time I had, albeit short. I was excited to board the plane as I knew I would be getting some much needed rest. Looking back, I was proud of what I was able to do as while I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull this off, it all worked out in the end. I looked at my footage as I waited, a little stressed at the editing work I had ahead, still yet, I smiled knowing all that I captured during my quick glance throughout the weekend.