~:[CH15 - Day 120]:~ Overcoming Frustrations

 
~:[CH15 - Day 120]:~ Overcoming Frustrations

I gave a challenging task to my students and they didn't think they could do it. They wondered, "how is this even possible?" It's actually a fun activity, but can be a little frustrating at first. Like anything in education and in life, things can be difficult until you finishing building the foundation. Once they got things rolling, they quickly overcame the frustrations. Frustrations are a part of life, but learning how to navigate things or when to let things go is important. I'm not always good at that, but still yet, eventually I find my way. I received a test in the afternoon today from a coach at another school. They showed me a flier from the city/county that advertised their community run. It had a cow, it had a cow pun, and was being held at the very park we had challenges reserving. Around the time of COVID, the county enacted some very difficult obstacles to hold a race with the logistics of the Great Cow Run, which made us move it offsite to a school. It's been great work with Glenn as they work hard and the site works perfectly, but for many, the park is ideal. I asked around for help, but nobody did and eventually it was just easier to stay on a campus. I wondered how different hosting a race like this was from hosting our invitational, but with the city and county both sponsoring it, it did make me a bit upset that there were so many obstacles for us, but not for them. On top of it all, their flier centered around a cow and a cow pun, which is what our meet has done since the beginning, when we worked with this same city and county in hosting it. Even in their planning notes, they reference our race, which means they knowingly did this. It's not a copyright or trademark issue as we don't have the money to lock that type of things in, however, it's the idea and morals behind it. To make it easy to host something like this when it's difficult for a school to do the same thing is quite ridiculous. I know it has to do that our meet hosts schools from various districts, which is the biggest obstacle, but still yet, why is it any different than a community race where you have no connection to the entrants? It raises a lot of questions and the number of messages I got made me realize my frustration wasn't unwarranted. They felt similarly. Maybe I didn't push enough, but still yet, I feel as if a moat has been built around our parks, that we can't freely use them anymore without a complaint or call. A few years back, Gahr completed the paperwork to use the park and in the middle of setting up, the city had Gahr take down their markings. There was some miscommunication / mistakes in the paperwork and ultimately, hours before our ace, made us take down the course and I had to redraft a course on the county side only on the fly, which ended up being a chunk over three miles, but allowed us to avoid canceling the meet. We haven't had a meet at the park since. A place where so many of my athletes memories were created are gone, as we've had to look elsewhere as not even our league could figure out a way to get approved to use the park due to the various districts within our league and the steps required. Just like my students, I have to work my way around the problem. We found the solution previously by working with another school to host the meet, as our campus layout made it a little challenging to do so. While not ideal, it became a solid solution and actually has allowed us to build a greater bond with another school. The many hills I've climbed along the way, have often been followed by moments of cruising along. However, the fact that I've faced a number of frustrating situations along the way, I've been better prepared for the next uphill climb, each becoming a little more manageable and preparing me for the mountain that will come. Let yourself deal with the frustration, vent, and then move on. Don't carry the load as it's not worth it. Overcome the frustrations by using it to help you build a stronger foundation for the road ahead. Thank you for listening to me vent and helping prepare myself for the next mountain I'll be faced with down the road.  

~:[CH15 - Day 119]:~ With Heavy Hearts

 
~:[CH15 - Day 119]:~ With Heavy Hearts

It was a day of mixed emotions. We celebrated our wonderful students who excelled in our classes with either a certificate or a medallion. It's always been a special ceremony for me as it's a reminder of the teacher who gave me my award and it's always a great reminder of how special she was to this world. It makes you remember all the amazing students you've had the pleasure to work with and all the colleagues who have excelled in their profession and truly have touched the lives of so many students along the way. As while our campus faced a bit of grief today, this ceremony was an opportunity for us to come together and start stitching things together, by celebrating all the amazing accomplishments of the students. I am lucky to work with them and to see them learn and grow and I only hope that life can show them a path that is not treacherous and is bearable. Often times in life, the path ahead can get a little thorny, but I hope that when that happens, we can find a way to help each other out, to unified together, and help each other keep pushing forward, even when our hearts are heavy and the struggles are real. Life is not easy, but it's easier when we reach out and lend a helping hand to each other. Let's open our eyes and ears a bit more and keep a positive spirit so that our heavy hearts can once again be uplifted. We deserve to celebrate in life and while the darkness will try to prevail, I am confident that together, we can endure.

~:[CH15 - Day 118]:~ Leveling Up

 
~:[CH15 - Day 118]:~ Leveling Up

In a way, today is a bit sad, as some of our athletes end their season today. They don't get a send off. Unlike most sports, some athletes finish today and some level up to league finals. There's a bit of sadness to it, as while painful, in team sports, you celebrate together when victorious or you console each other in defeat. For sports like track, it's a little different. There can be a variety of sadness and joy in the same frame from the same school, which makes it a little challenging. Luckily, not too many athletes had to say goodbye as over 80 of our athletes advanced to the finals. It's cool to see athletes find improvements from the beginning of the year until now and even more fun when they keep advancing to the next level whether from prelims to finals or finals to CIF and beyond. It's always a challenge to see who could actually make it the furthest, but at the end of the day, you get what you can get and today we got more than enough. I was proud of the athletes today. There were a few who were struggling, but toughed out their races and advanced, while a number of athletes PRed. There were some who struggled, but still, I was proud that they were out there and glad they joined us. There will be a bit of sadness as our team will grow a little smaller, but I'll also stay in focus and remember that we have a lot of athletes who are still aiming to level up! I hope that in all the things we do, we aim to rise as high as we can and it all starts with a single step in the direction of what we want to accomplish. 

~:[CH15 - Day 117]:~ In Formation

 
~:[CH15 - Day 117]:~ In Formation

I looked up to the sky and pointed. "It's a turtle," I proclaimed. I am always amazed when the clouds go into various formation and it's clear to see what they become. Today is was a turtle, tomorrow, maybe a dragon. Things come together and work out to form something beautiful, but often times, there are things that are required to make it that way. Today was that day. It was paperwork day for track. My computer began printing as I put together the paperwork for tomorrow's meet. This step and that step result in a beautiful formation overhead that leads to a great meet for everyone - usually. There are things we can't control that may make a meet difficult, but piecing everything together well in advance helps avoid some of those issues. I was thinking of going to Japanese Heritage Night at Dodgers Stadium since I knew one of the performers and was going to take photos, but I thought to myself, "Dodgers Stadium" and dropped that idea altogether. It was a wise decision with league around the corner and probably saved me a lot of headaches in the process. Let's hope that things come into formation tomorrow!

~:[CH15 - Day 116]:~ Great Memories

 
~:[CH15 - Day 116]:~ Great Memories

There's always something a little different when I get to UCI. After a tough morning waking up, we headed to my alma mater. I love walking around the campus and exploring, even when I'm exhausted. Being there gets me motivated a bit. We were in only five of the committees and so it was easy to walk around and monitor the committees. Every time I come here, I remember the conference when I ran it and I am just amazed how we always pulled it all together. There are so many great memories I have here and they always come alive when I roam around. I met up with some alum for lunch and just enjoyed the break before heading back for closing. We wrapped up pretty quick and had a successful conference. We ended up with the large school delegation award and two gavels of those five committees, which ended up being a pretty impressive day. When I got home, I wasn't looking forward to seeding the track meet, but I went through the files and got everything sorted. I wrapped that up, sent out some messages, finished up a slideshow so I could call it a night. I actually got a lot of the work I wanted to do out of the way, so I am hoping that tomorrow isn't too bad. With league finals and a few events this week, I think it will pass like a blur, but that's how I like life, busy and fast paced! Hoping we all have a wonderful week and let's do our best to stay focused so we can enjoy the upcoming weekend and create our own great memories.

~:[CH15 - Day 115]:~ (Not) Out of the Blue

 
~:[CH15 - Day 115]:~ (Not) Out of the Blue

It's going to be an exhausting weekend for sure. I woke up early and headed to Huntington Beach. We had a split squad today with the other group going to UCI. I ended up with 37 delegates at HB and an amazing 23 came home with awards including five best delegates. I would say that it's out of the blue, but this same group excelled at Mira Costa and showed great poise in their speeches in class yesterday and thus, I guess I would say, I am not that surprised. Of course, sometimes these moments come out of the blue and you just have to appreciate the work that these students put in to achieve what they did. You'd think I'd wrap it up after this, right? Wrong. With the parking lot full, I decided to not leave and ended up heading to the gym. I took photos for CDT's (DDT for the older folks) Spectacular. It's always fun to watch the dances and although it's sometimes hard to focus so quickly when you're that close, I ended up grabbing a load of great shots. Of course, with UCI tomorrow, I decided to transfer the photos and call it a night. There's a lot to do the next few days, but if I survive this week, it may just be smooth sailing to the end of the school year. Let's go! 

~:[CH15 - Day 114]:~ Another Year Flies By ...

 
~:[CH15 - Day 114]:~ Another Year Flies By ...

Tick tock, another year flies by. It's amazing how fast time flies. Before you know it, the end of the school year arrives and we are already prepping for next year. At the end of a long week, we celebrated three birthdays tonight. We relaxed, played some games, opened presents and then had our cake. It's stunning to think that it's almost May and in just over a month, summer will be here. It felt just like yesterday that I prepping for the new school year and already, this year has passed on by. Cherish each day and moment as while I write about this often, there can never be too many reminders about it. Today we celebrated single digit ages, but before you know it, they'll truly be celebrating their 86th. We are always in a rush to get to this date or that date, instead, let's try to slow things down so we can better appreciate each of these moments that go flying by. Another year flies by as the clock continues to tick and tock.

~:[CH15 - Day 113]:~ Whodunit?

 
~:[CH15 - Day 113]:~ Whodunit?

It's a fun murder mystery musical that keeps you guessing on who the murderer was. I had a little frustrating start to the week, but regardless, this musical made my day a lot better. After canceling three shoots within a week, I finally was able to capture these moments along with enjoying a comical musical. It's great to watch the talent that resides on our campus and even adds another layer when you're trying to figure out whodunit. I was trying to figure it out and I think I narrowed it down to two at the end, one of whom ended up being the killer. I'm not giving any spoilers, so if you want to figure out who it was, you can catch one of the final two nights. However, what I can say is that it was worth an evening out and definitely will leave you please with how well they did. 

~:[CH15 - Day 112]:~ Liftoff

 
~:[CH15 - Day 112]:~ Liftoff

As we study about space and the Cold War, I allowed the students (after they finished their reading), to make a paper airplane as their "rocket" to see how far it could fly. For each of my periods, I made one to compete against them. Some failed, while others had theirs soar. I closed out the period by talking about how there were many failures on the road to their ultimate success in space. Just like that, I said, it was okay if their planes failed, as even the best and the brightest engineers failed on their path to eventual success. I am not sure if it registered with them, still yet, I am hoping that they all can show some grit and persevere when they fail. I hope that they never give up on what they hope to reach and eventually find their way to a liftoff towards their goals. I hope that instead of chasing the destination everyone is going, they find the one place that suits them and they take a path towards it. Many will not take a direct path and that's okay, but I just hope that they eventually get there. Only time will tell where we all end up, but if we keep working on it, we can gain and build the tools that we need to succeed so we can eventually find our way to a liftoff towards our goals and dreams. 

~:[CH15 - Day 111]:~ Pushing Limits

 
~:[CH15 - Day 111]:~ Pushing Limits

It felt a little strange to walk to school, but at the same time, it was nice. I enjoyed the view, the cool breeze, and the exercise. I am not sure if anyone recognized me, but it didn't matter much. I don't like being carless, but it made me appreciate the luxury of having a car and will allow me to appreciate it more. With my car not being ready, I didn't have to rush today. I took my time and worked with the athletes through their practice. I like this group of boys because they're very cohesive. Most of them are freshmen and it's nice when a group gets to grow up together. I am just hoping they stick together for all four years. We have a trash can on the field on these special days as we ask them to push their limits and at times that leads to some very "memorable" moments that a trash can will help capture. We wrapped it up and called it a day, but it was nice watching these athletes do all they can to sharpen themselves up for the final week ahead. They pushed their limits. I've been a little discouraged as I've seen the level of motivation that some of the new generation have. However, watching these athletes push through, I gained a bit of a renewed hope that many of this generation will be able to push their limits and find their potential. Part of my job is to motivated all of these athletes, but I'll need a little motivation and perseverance myself to keep pushing my own limits to get them to push theirs. Wish me luck.

~:[CH15 - Day 110]:~ Settling Down

 
~:[CH15 - Day 110]:~ Settling Down

I felt like a student again. My mom said she'd take me to school, so I obliged. I went through the day, making progress, as I learned about the condition of my car. Strangely, the main issue transpired due to the error on a previous repair. It was a little upsetting, but finding out there were other things to take care of, made it a little easier to swallow as I knew that it would all be taken care of. I ended up walking home, enjoying the view and even coming across this beautiful bird sitting on the fence. It didn't fly away as I entered and so I snapped a photo with my phone. I felt at ease. Was this a sign sent to me to just enjoy the moment and the day? Was it a sign of better things to come? Regardless of what it was, I decided to focus on what I could do, rest a little, and get a little work done. I settled things then settled down. I felt unproductive, but at the same time, I'll think of this as a mini-vacation as I sort things out. It seems like it may be a few days before things return to normal, so for now, I'll enjoy what's around me and make due with what I have. It's moments like these that you realize even more how privileged you are, which hopefully will make me more appreciative of the things I have. Of course, when you have time to think after things are settled down are the moments you find the most clarity as I have found the past few days. I think I'll adjust a few things going forward, but for now, I'll get a little more shut eye as these days allow for it.

~:[CH15 - Day 109]:~ What to Do

 
~:[CH15 - Day 109]:~ What to Do

Unless there is an event, Sundays are relatively calm. I usually catch up on work, do the editing that needs to be done, or plan. I even had less to do since I couldn't go anywhere anyways, as I already planned on missing the event later in the day. I added a class in the morning, then messaged a friend to have lunch before he left town. Otherwise, I organized a bit to get ready for the week ahead. I'm not used to a slow-paced life, so it was weird, but it was nice to be at home and eat a delicious homecooked meal. Although visually it may not be the most appealing meal, this is one of my most favorite meals made by my mom. I am not sure what makes it so addicting, but it truly is easy to eat, so much so that I have to restrict myself from going back for a round three. Two rounds is inevitable. I ate and got some work done, waiting for tomorrow, as I would be able to figure out my week's plan when I get the update on my car. For now, I'll do things that I put off and clean up a bit around the house, which are things I probably should have been doing anyway. I guess today wasn't too much different from the norm, but still yet, I will be much more appreciative of having access to a car after all is said in done. For now, each day that passes, I'll try to figure out what to do ...

~:[CH15 - Day 108]:~ Coming to a Halt

 
~:[CH15 - Day 108]:~ Coming to a Halt

I'm on the go more than ever and today, life told me to stop - literally. As I was driving off the offramp on my way to photograph and event, my car revved, but wouldn't move anymore. I couldn't push it when in neutral and really didn't know what was going on. I canceled everything knowing there was no hope and dealt with the situation at hand. I actually was blocking the freeway exit and initially I found some cones to block the way, but eventually, I figured I could back up just enough to allow cars to pass. I couldn't go forward, so that was the only option as I felt backing all the way to the shoulder may be too dangerous . It was a little strange that people just looked at me as they passed one by. One person said, "why would you park here?" not knowing my situations. I thought back and aside from the police offers and tow truck driver, the only other person that offered to help, was the homeless man on the side of the road. As I was talking to the tow truck driver, it was something that came up and it made me realize, that I took may have been someone who passed by without thinking. Am I in such a rush in my daily life that I forget to think about those around me and forget to stop when I should? Should I slow down and offer my helping hand more often? I thought of a lot of things a we took the hour long drive home. I forgot to mention that my car stopped almost as I reached my destination in Moreno Valley, which meant I had a long trek back home. It was a nice conversation and once we go there, we unloaded the car and they said they'll contact me on Monday when my appointment was. I laid down when I got home and didn't do much. As I looked back, as much of a hassle as it was, I was thankful that the issue didn't happen in the middle of the freeway, didn't cause any injuries or damage, or didn't happen with someone else in car. Of course, it didn't take long for me to begin thinking about what I needed to do and start planning and coordinating for upcoming events, but still yet, when things like this happen, maybe that halt in your life happened for a reason. You don't need the answer to why, but thinking about things and clearing your mind a bit may be just what you need to hit the reset or refresh button to get you going forward. My car doesn't seem like it will be moving forward anytime soon, so for now, I'll do what I can while life keeps me at this halt. 

~:[CH15 - Day 107]:~ Time Passes By

 
~:[CH15 - Day 107]:~ Time Passes By

I survived the day, then headed out to LA for what probably will be my last stop at the current location of Hotel Cafe. I thought my previous stop was going to be, but somehow, I've found my way back. I came in early to shoot during soundcheck, which made things a little less hectic. As I stood there in an empty room, I remembered so many amazing moments that happened within the halls of this place from the various artists and the people I enjoyed the music with. It's incredible that so much time has passed by and soon, it will all be but a memory. One of the artists singing alongside Priscilla asked me briefly how I met Priscilla. It's strange to think about that it's been over thirteen years since we first "met." I look back at the package I received and it's still there in the same box it was mailed in. The Hotel Cafe will soon no longer be at the same location, but the memories of these moments and those interconnected moments will remain. With a cover album soon being released by Priscilla, it will unveil a whole new box of memories as I think back to the memories connected to songs like Iris, which she performed this evening. Time passes by, but along the way, we pick up little pieces of each moment and keep it close to our hearts. In life, things will come and go, we move here and there, we'll gain and lose loved ones, but until we breathe our final breathe, we'll carry with us the greatest treasures we collect along the way. As I captured these moments and soaked in other moments, my heart and soul were truly overflowing. Treasure each of these moments and even though this one became more special since it would be the last, in life, we truly never know when the last will be. Treasure each of these moments and like a charm on a bracelet, add a piece of this moment to your life's bracelet. 

~:[CH15 - Day 106]:~ Let's Deal

 
~:[CH15 - Day 106]:~ Let's Deal

I am with the students and don't quite like block scheduling, but at times, there are its benefits. We had our discussions to try and work out the budget with Congress. Each of them had previously selected a state and they represented their Congressperson in our class simulation. Each side recommended their bills, they discussed them, tried to make a deal and then voted from there. It was interesting to see students do this as it got them thinking on a whole different level. They had to figure out what to change and I after I gave them some insight on the domino effects of their decisions, they went back to the drawing board. Regardless, it ended up being a great discussion and while my other class faced some struggles focusing for the entire period, at least part of the day found productivity. The layout will not always be to your liking, but you have to find a way to make it work and while life has nobody you can necessarily negotiate with, you can figure out a way to make things work, striking a deal with yourself. While we don't control everything in life, we can control what we do with the hand that is dealt to us. 

~:[CH15 - Day 105]:~ A Little Treat

 
~:[CH15 - Day 105]:~ A Little Treat

Today was the first day I felt I could breathe a bit. I've been overwhelmed with my load of work, that I haven't had time to rest. While I did have a pile of work I could be doing, there were no looming deadlines and no timeline for what I needed to get done. With a errand on my schedule, I decided to make a little stop and treat myself for a job well done. I enjoyed a little snack with a friend and rewarded myself for a job well done. There was nothing spectacular accomplished, but being able to send out all the albums for all the shoots I did, while also creating a few posts and Reels, I impressed myself that I stayed focus and was productive. I overcame some obstacles, figure out some issues, and got what I needed done. There is definitely a lot I want to accomplish in the next week, mostly cleaning and organizing, but for today, I took a short mental break and enjoyed a little treat, Treat yourself, even when it's not about something big you've accomplished and even when thing are not going so well. I've faced numerous unexpected challenges, but even in the middle of it all, this little treat for myself will go a long way to keep me moving forward. Let's treat ourselves every once in awhile! 

~:[CH15 - Day 104]:~ Do What You Can Do

 
~:[CH15 - Day 104]:~ Do What You Can Do

I wish my students and athletes will remember to be prepared, but sometimes life catches you off guard. Sometimes, you get overwhelmed and forget or things just don't work out and you can't get it down. However, I am always impressed by those who, no matter if they messed up or not, figure it out. They do what they can do in the situation they find themselves, even when it's of their own doing. In life, we'll be dealt a hand that is not of our own doing and we'll have the choice to face it or give up and I think for my students and athletes, learning to face up to these challenge each time, is important. At the end of the day, they may not fully get to where they wanted to, but when they push and make the effort, I can be proud of them, even when their challenge was created by their own mistake. We'll make mistakes along the way and we'll face situations we didn't create ourselves, but in all situations, I hope we don't back down, but rather, figure out a way to solve the problem we're facing or just deal with it and do what we can with what we have. Today, one of my runners did so and while he struggled a bit, at the end of the workout, I was proud that he still went out there and made the effort. 

~:[CH15 - Day 103]:~ A Hole in the Pocket

 

~:[CH15 - Day 103]:~ A Hole in the Pocket

I remember hearing the sound of coins hitting the ground as I walked around frantically for the spot to store my backpack. At first, I wondered who dropped the coins, but then I realized that there was a hole in my pocket. Those who know me know that this isn't something new. Me with ripped pants of some variety is a commonality, however, this is the first I could remember with a hole in my pocket. Fast forward a few days and I wore those pants again and I forgot that the hole was there and the coins fell out once again. I claimed most of what I dropped, but one fell into my shoe. I laughed as I looked at it, but thought of something more profound. In life, we often have a hole in our pocket. Whether it's about spending to much or being too generous, we often find that our pockets are never filled. However, when I think about an empty pocket when someone is selfless, some may think it's foolish, while I think of it in the view of a Christian who gives what they can, even when their pockets are not overflowing. I am reminded of the Thai commercial where a gentlemen shows such generosity and compassion to those around him. Although it seems like he does too much, later in the commercial, you realize the fruits of his labor. While I only had a physical hole in my actual pocket, I do my best to be generous to those around me, because in my view, the hole in my pocket can sometimes fill the holes in my heart. Whether it's money, time or effort, what I sacrifice is worth what I eventually gain in the process. While it seem like it could be wasted, often, I've found that the more I give, the more I get in return. I've been blessed with fruitfulness around me and I think it's because I've invested in the things I think are important, which have filled the gaps in my own life. I don't believe that money buys happiness, but I do believe that when you're selfless in life (in all aspects), even that hole in your pocket will be filled with riches that money could never buy.

~:[CH15 - Day 102]:~ Take Me Away

 

~:[CH15 - Day 102]:~ Take Me Away

It was a day of looking back. The week was a whirlwind. With three days of events before I left, I headed straight to the airport from my last event, then headed straight to an appointment when I arrived. It was a non-stop first day, followed by open mornings where I edited, followed by afternoon and evening events. I didn't get to explore much, as expected, but still yet, as I sit here and sort through all these photos, I wanted to be taken back. On my last day, my friend drove me to the airport. Just a short drive away, we soaked in the views of Skytree before heading to enjoying the afternoon a bit before my flight. The weather at times was too windy and cold, but for the most part, it was decent and weather I wish I could continue to enjoy. I actually accomplished so much today as I wrapped up all of my albums, an impressive feat considering what I had to do. However, because of it, I was able to look through the photos and yearn a bit until I head back for another first day jam-packed day. It seems like my schedule might be a little more packed than normal as people have been scheduling me here and there a lot faster than normal. Regardless, I'll do my best to find moments to enjoy while I am there, so I can sit at my desk once again and yearn to be back. For now, I'll refocus on the work ahead of me and aim towards staying laser focused on everything that is in front of me, instead of wishing to be taken away, as I want to avoid missing great things that are right in front of me.

~:[CH15 - Day 101]:~ Back to the Stomping Grounds

 
~:[CH15 - Day 101]:~ Back to the Stomping Grounds

An alum brought me back to my stomping grounds as he hosted a mini concert at Mesa Court at UCI. It was great to be back and amazing to see how some things have changed. I wandered around a bit not knowing where the event was being held, but sure enough, it was in a familiar spot that looked completely different. I was pretty exhausted as I spent the morning recovering from the event the night before and I wandered aimlessly with my friend on the way to the airport, but I still managed to rack up enough sleep to be there. It was great to see everyone get together to support one another. Some performing for the first time and others with a few under their best. Regardless, it was great to see such a large gathering organized by my alum, who has had a mission to get people out to create and share their craft. I was definitely exhausted by the time I got home, but some things are worth expending your energy on and this was one of them. It ran a little longer than expected and so I thought I might have a ticket waiting on my car, but I guess I was blessed for today, as I drove home uplifted and also with a few extra dollars in my pocket. 

~:[CH15 - Day 100]:~ Late Nights, Late Flights

 

~:[CH15 - Day 100]:~ Late Nights, Late Flights

I was stressing out a bit on figuring on how to manage the evening. The event I was headed to was going to end at 1am at the earliest and by then, all the trains stop running. Do I stay in a hotel? Do I wander the streets? Do I call an expensive cab? The thought of wandering the streets was a little appealing as seeing what life was like that late isn't something I've hung around to watch, but still yet, I ended up opting for the taxi, which by our standards, isn't as expensive as I thought it would be. Regardless, it was worth it in the end, as the energy from the show was amazing. I saw a lot of familiar faces as I focused in on capturing the performance. It was a little tougher in a club environment, but still yet, I came out with some cool clips. It was completely opposite of the day when I ventured though the vintage streets of Koenji where I met my friend and enjoyed walking the streets and a vintage styled cafe. It was a quiet afternoon as the rain probably kept some people in, but it didn't stop many from heading to the club that night. I like how varied our days can be from the quiet and quaint afternoons to the loud and crazy evenings. It gives you a sense of how different we as people are and how differently we live our lives. Luckily, my flight tomorrow is quite late and so I can sleep in, but if I had to do this again, I might give it a second thought. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, as late nights get harder the older you get.

~:[CH15 - Day 99]:~ Not My Style

 

~:[CH15 - Day 99]:~ Not My Style

I took some photos at a café that definitely was not my style. While it wasn't particularly a place I wanted to be, I made the most of the experience, shaping photos and ordering picturesque food. The person I worked with today is someone who I regularly work with and we are polar opposites when it comes to going to places and exploring. We found a happy medium as in life, you can't always get what you want. At the end of the day, I think we had a fairly good time after taking our photos and exploring a bit. We ended up in places that I typically wouldn't go alone, but exploring what you like and don't, will actually help you more as you discover what to avoid in the future. Who knows, you may actually end up something you thought wasn't your style. That didn't happen today though. 

~:[CH15 - Day 98]:~ The Wanderers

 
~:[CH15 - Day 98]:~ The Wanderers

Usually when I do things, everything is set, planned and in order. However, today was as street shoot and we ended up just wandering, looking for locations to shoot. That spontaneity gives me a little anxiety, but I think it helps me learn and grow as I have to learn to adapt, see, and find ways of creating in a new environment. I wasn't sure how this would turn out as I was working with this model for the first time, but by days end, we ended up appreciate each other's work and we tentatively arranged our next shoot. It was already a long day, as I had a meeting before this, thus I look forward to heading home. However, I came across a pop-up and ended up staying in the are a bit more, continuing to be the wanderer, wondering what I was discover ahead. Don't be afraid to wander in life as the unplanned is where you find your greatest discoveries. 

~:[CH15 - Day 97]:~ Hidden Gems

 
~:[CH15 - Day 97]:~ Hidden Gems

I was late. I made the mistake of taking the train the wrong direction and didn't notice it until later, trusting my technology. Luckily it was a circular line (it keeps going round and round) as I eventually made it to the spot late, however, I was embarrassed knowing what I need. After settling down, I enjoyed a nice dessert and we walked around a new place and found some pretty cool things in a place that was relatively quiet. It, for now, is a hidden gem that we got to enjoy in a crazy busy day. After two appointments, I needed a nice relaxing walk before heading to my final appointment of the night and I was truly impressed by how much I was able to fit in this day. Regardless, this spot reminded me of my students and those around me. Many feel like they are not special or at times, insignificant. They don't feel like they stand out or possess anything special. However, I think many are still yet to be discovered. There is something about each person that makes them special and the search must be on to find exactly what that is. At times,  most people cruise to the most popular spots (as it's the trend), but instead, I think that each of us need to find our own path in order to find what make us special. Today, we went off the beaten path and found something special and I know that each one of us has that in store if we just have the faith to look around and find what lies within us. For all of us, we are precious and have that gem within us, whether we've discovered it yet or not.

~:[CH15 - Day 96]:~ Life's Cycle

 
~:[CH15 - Day 96]:~ Life's Cycle

I didn't think I'd make it, but as I arrived, I saw a beautiful row of white and pink along the Meguro River. The strong winds left many of the petals floating in the river below. I think it's the most beautiful time when the flowers are falling, as it creates a beauty that is below, overhead and around us simultaneously. As I thought about the flowers, it reminded me that everything in this world has a life cycle. We have a limited time to live and survive in this world and we need to make the most of our time we have here. Even on the way here, I lost a lot of time as the time change places me ahead, still yet, I find a way to stretch my time as best as possible in order to not lose too much time. There are full days ahead, however, for now, I'll enjoy the beauty of this sight knowing that I want to enjoy it while I can during this life's cycle. 

~:[CH15 - Day 95]:~ The Hunt is On

 
~:[CH15 - Day 95]:~ The Hunt is On

Today was a busy day, but I made sure to plan everything around our annual Easter egg hunt. Every Easter morning, my parents and I hide eggs around our backyard and wait for my brother's family to arrive. It's fun to see them scramble around the yard searching for eggs. This year, I must have done a good job since about seven of them were left unfound for quite sometime. Later that day, after sorting through photos, I headed to an event. I thought I would have plenty of time, but they had a long delay, which left me short on time. I said my goodbyes and they zoomed back home, packed up the last of everything and zoomed out to the airport. As I sat at the airport, I finally had time to settle in and process a few things. As the excitement for various projects upcoming, I wondered what eggs we were all searching for in our lives. Sometimes we uncover ones that are easy to find, while others may never be found. The value of each of those eggs in our lives differ as we all have a varying importance on the same things. I was truly exhausted and I knew that a lot of work awaited me, still yet, I was excited with all the eggs I uncovered in my life this weekend and look forward to the many things hidden along the way in the days, weeks, and years ahead. Happy Easter to all those who celebrate. He is risen!

~:[CH15 - Day 94]:~ Friends in Far Away Places

 

~:[CH15 - Day 94]:~ Friends in Far Away Places

Last year, my friend introduced me to a performer and we met up at her performance in Shibuya. It was nice that we got a long, as her cheerful personality made it easy to chat despite the language barrier. I think regardless of our language, we wouldn't be able to hear each other in the music hall, so talking via translator was just as effective. We've kept in contact since and it was nice to reunite as she came to OC Japan Fair, her first return to California since performing at Anime Expo. I caught her stage twice, even though I only was able to stay for a portion of it. Luckily, we met up before her stage and we were also able to chat for a bit afterwards. It's cool when you make friends in far away places as each meeting becomes special. You treasure those moments you have more and I think you truly appreciate the connection. It was another exhausting day as I could feel my arches after walking out of Freedom LA. I stepped out a bit early, as I ran into another artist who asked me to attend their stage across the festival grounds. It worked out nicely as my car was in that direction anyway and I had to head to the off site event after. I caught the event and then headed out, after a fun and fulfilling day reuniting with a number of people who I don't get to see too often and meeting a few new people. I hope that we appreciate the people we see daily, but I hope we make an effort to keep in touch with those who are distant, as it takes a little extra effort, but is worth it in the end. 

~:[CH15 - Day 93]:~ Let the Festivities Begin

~:[CH15 - Day 93]:~ Let the Festivities Begin

I spent the morning figuring out a few bugs. It's always annoying when you're facing headaches, but I did my best to solve them before my day began. I took care of what I could, then headed out to the OC Fairgrounds for the OC Japan Fair. I go to this event to take pictures regularly, but this year, I also went early and helped setup the booth a bit. It was a nice way to pass time before I had to take photos. I was glad that everything worked out for the day, as I was able to capture my friend's set, then head back over to help out with Idol Nova. I well connected with them so it's always fun to work with them. They did a great job with their performance, but for a bit, I hit a little snafu with my camera as I turned the dial without realizing it, leaving my shutter speed a bit slower than intended. I still got some shots, despite a section being over exposed. Regardless, it was a great performance and a line of people waiting to meet them, as I took care of the Instax. It was a fun (even though exhausting) way to start the break, but I guess in my life, I don't know how to do it any other way. We stayed in the fairgrounds for a bit as they were fixing something in the cafe booth, so it was nice to just relax a bit before heading out. I realized when I got home that I had not eaten since breakfast and so I grabbed a bit to eat before calling it a night. There wasn't much breathing room as I had to return tomorrow, but I smiled as I opened up the folder with the photos, as I was proud of what was produced. Let the festivities begin! 

~:[CH15 - Day 92]:~ Hanging On

 
~:[CH15 - Day 92]:~ Hanging On

It was the last day before break and we had a track meet. It seems to always be this way and it's a challenge as the students try to take off early, leaving us in a point deficit. Luckily, we were able to find success at the meet and sweep all four divisions as we got a lot of our athletes to step up and volunteer to do extra events. A few teams were also missing athletes, which helped us when we were lacking athletes. I think a lot of our mindsets were like this, just hold on. When you are close to the finish line, it's easy to call it quits early. The temptations surround you, but you must stay focus and plan ahead to ensure you fulfill what you need to. Many of my athletes made that sacrifice and those plans to be there and I am proud of them for hanging on just a little bit longer. I was truly exhausted by week's end, but I made it. I was hanging on by a thread, running around trying to do everything on my schedule, but I am proud that I made it. I hope that when you face tough times and. you're coming close to the finish line, you do what it takes to get there. No matter if you accomplish what you want on the way there, all that truly matters it that you didn't let up and you didn't give up. Get there, hang on, and cross that line. Honestly, I cannot tell. you that it's worth it, however, every time I hang on, I am proud of myself for just getting there and I hope you are too. Have a wonderful (almost) weekend. 

~:[CH15 - Day 91]:~ Only a Fool

 
~:[CH15 - Day 91]:~ Only a Fool

I challenged my students a bit today. I tried to get my sophomores to shape up a bit as I shared the reality with them, they may have it the toughest in the future. It could either be considered the easiest or the hardest, as they have access to AI to make things easier, but at the same time, they'll be competing with AI, which will quickly streamline work and reduce the number of jobs required. They'll need to build more skills and work harder to overcome what AI can do and while not perfect, it will only get smarter and more accurate. It all began as there were murmurs as I told them to clear their desks as we were watching Allegiance in class. I was like, "really?" Without having to take notes, all they needed to do was watch and it seemed like they thought even that was too hard. However, maybe the talk helped a bit, as they were a little more focused in and by period's end, they were actually mad that I stopped the musical. At times I worry about the challenges they'll face in the future, but at the end of the day, they'll need to make that choice to get on track. Although today was April Fool's Day, there wasn't much joking around as I tried to get everything together before tomorrow's meet. I had to do all my lesson plans and leave my room tidy, as today was my last day before spring break (teaching). It would be a long night as I wrapped up my taxes and as expected, I had to foot a bill after a lucky 2025. Of course, it was all expected and so I plan accordingly throughout the end of the year. As I wrapped everything up, my printer was taking care of the rest, as the paperwork for the meet processed through the night. On a night that I wanted to just sleep, I powered through and I think my ability to organize, persist, and do all that I was able to do came from putting my all into the work I did, being open to doing various assignments, and instead of wasting time complaining, just doing what I could to get the work done and done well. I hope that my students can see that what they do now will impact them down the line and I am not sure what the world will look like in twenty years, but it won't look anything like this. By then, I'll be old and gray, retired and still walking around with my camera, but they'll be facing reality and I hope they're prepared for it. As I peered up at the sky, the cloudy skies from yesterday disappeared and the sun began to peek through the clouds, as the blue skies appeared. I've always enjoyed the skies after a rainy day. While these moments may be a little stormy for these students, without these moments, they'll never see the beauty that comes after each storm. As long as they take on the challenges that come their way, I know they'll be prepared to handle these challenging moments to enjoy what awaits them. Finally, to all those who have yet to file your taxes, you have two weeks left.