~:[CH15 - Day 151]:~ I'll Have to Pass

 
~:[CH15 - Day 151]:~ I'll Have to Pass

I probably have been trying to do too much in a day as my schedule has been crazy this year. Even today, I was trying to make my dad an early birthday dinner and do a photoshoot. With the cooking taking a bit more time, I ended up staying home and cooking, working on my to-do list (mostly photos), and also cleaning up, as I have a lot to work on. I don't feel like I put a dent in the mess that is my room, but at least I got through some of it. It will be a busy two days upcoming based on my progress, so my go to phrase may be, I'll have to pass. Dinner ended up being amazing and I ended up getting a lot of the photos processed, still yet, there is much work to do and so very few people will be able to see me out in the wild over the next two days. I'm a bit sad (and stressed) to be leaving so quickly, but at the same time, I'm excited for all the new projects I have lined up this year and all the places I'll be able to go.

~:[CH15 - Day 150]:~ Networking

 
~:[CH15 - Day 150]:~ Networking

I had things on the agenda today, but nothing felt stressful. It was a relaxed feel as school was over and now, I just focused on prepping for the months ahead. I went with an alumni to connect him with another alumni as he begins his new journey in life. We talked about the importance of networking and the pitfalls that come with it. Later that night, as I captured various moments from Kiki's birthday, I thought about how many of my current shoots have come due to connections. I am not a networkers as I don't like to talk to random people, however, it just so happens that I end up connecting with people and ultimately get setup with various events and artists. Networking is important in most fields and even in life. Knowing the right people will help you through many difficult times, as you'll be able to find someone to help you in any situation you face. By night's end, I had too many photos and the doors began to creak open for new opportunities to connect. We'll see how that goes, but for now, I look forward to the many events I will be at the next few months all because of the connections I made.

~:[CH15 - Day 149]:~ It's Not Over

 
~:[CH15 - Day 149]:~ It's Not Over

The city changed their system around and so the proclamation ceremony fell on graduation day. It wasn't ideal ,but we made it work as my cousin stood in for me. Because of it, we only had a small group that was able to attend but still yet, we got to celebrate together with a final dinner. School was over for the year, but we still had an event. It was nice to celebrate the end of the year together, as often times I miss out as I have to jet out right after the end of school. However, with the calendar the way it was, I couldn't leave as early as usual, which gave me a little wiggle room that I ended up needing. I had work to do but still enjoyed our time together as we said farewell. This group surpassed my expectations as their initial prep wasn't great, but the worked hard to improve and ultimately, reach the heights they were aiming for. Of course for them, their journey is not over, as they now move into senior year. With most of my students, I only hope and pray that they work towards progressing as they step into this new chapter, avoiding the pitfalls that surround them. Hooray for the last day of school (not work).

~:[CH15 - Day 148]:~ Another One

 
~:[CH15 - Day 148]:~ Another One

The fireworks lit the sky and we said farewell to another class. It's easy to say that it's just another class, but it's always fun to think about the variety of personalities and how thing have changed over time. Each of these students leaves a different impression and I think that in itself is the beauty of teaching. You get to see a diverse group of students who progress their way through the system and ultimate find their way on their journey. For each class and individual there in, there is a different route taken. Sometimes, they take a direct route, while in most cases, they keep circling back. No matter where their journey takes them, however, it's always a blessing to be there to help them along and to watch them as they learn and grow along the way. Tomorrow, our juniors will official move into the senior ranks and a new class will arrive soon, but the memory of this class will never be erased, as each leaves a lasting impression. Like a firework, they're never one in the same, even if they're similar, so while it's easy to say, there goes another one, I encourage you to look closely, as each has it's own qualities when you watch and don't let those often subtle differences pass on by. Congratulations to the class of 2026. 

~:[CH15 - Day 147]:~ Blessed Beyond Belief

 
~:[CH15 - Day 147]:~ Blessed Beyond Belief

I woke up earlier than I wanted and dragged myself over to Stowers for a K-graduation. It was worth it. I know that just taking the time out of one's day is significant, even if it's momentary. Today, a large number of people did just that for me as well. As I received messages from far and wide, I realized how blessed I was. People taking time out of their day to send you a message means so much and I truly was appreciative of it. As someone who is not always on top of it with dates, I was truly impressed that people were aware and took the time to greet me today. It's always great to hear from people you haven't heard or seen for awhile along with those you see every day. After surviving the obstacles of the day, I ended up going out with my parents and eating a wonderful meal at our friends' spot, Dakara Sushi (give it a try). It's always my favorite place to go and my dad would agree as he kept saying how he's glad it's not closer to our house, as he would be there every day if it was. If my dad approves of it, it's pretty up there. Regardless, I was happy to celebrate together, rolled through the evening and got a few things done, but for the most part, I lounged (more than I should have) and just responded to as many messages as I could. I am truly grateful for the love and support I have around me and I only hope is that I could also do the same for those around me. I am truly blessed beyond belief and today is a reminder that I must make extra efforts to maintain those relationships and share the same love and respect for them as they've shared with me. Much appreciation to you all and I truly love you all. 

~:[CH15 - Day 146]:~ A Glitch in the Matrix

 
~:[CH15 - Day 146]:~ A Glitch in the Matrix

Every once in awhile, my portfolio shows a glitch like this. It's a sudden rush of excitement until you realize it's just that, a glitch. It was our first day back for the week and our last day of classes (with finals upcoming). Everyone's mind seemed a bit glitchy as we all were focused in on the end. I actually took care of what I needed to, despite sleeping in a bit longer than I wanted to and had my own rush of excitement as I realized it was our last day with only finals left. I finished grading my assignments, wrapping up this and that, and now just focusing in on inputting their finals. That's it. The excitement I feel is like that glitch in the matrix, as I almost hit the finish line, but there still is the headache of final grades, cleaning, and everything that comes with wrapping up the school year. It's amazing how quickly this school year passed and I wonder if it will keep feeling as fast year after year. For now, I'll appreciate looking at my account, knowing in the back of my mind that I did not earn over 150,000%, just like I realized it's not quite the end of the year. Soon enough, things will go back to normal and the daily life will go on. My pockets will be emptier when this glitch is fixed, but hey, at least it will be summer by then. Three more wakeups. 

~:[CH15 - Day 145]:~ Refocus

 
~:[CH15 - Day 145]:~ Refocus

There's a lot on my plate this week as I try to wrap things up, catch up and prepare all at the same time. On a holiday, I had a bit of time to recover, but as I tried to refocus, I lost a little bit of that motivation to do so. I had a morning meeting, lounged around a bit, then got to work. I focused in, but not as long as I wanted to. Still yet, I finished what I had set out to do and fell short on a few extras. Of course, after an exhausting weekend, my body was telling me, no. Not only do we have to focus and lock in sometimes, we also have to focus in on what's important and sometimes that requires us to lounge around. My body said, take a little time and so I complied. Instead of refocusing on work, I refocused on myself. Every once in awhile, I make a post about this. Let's all work hard, focus in and lock in, but also, let's be sure to check ourselves as well. Sometimes we get to a point where we are not where we needed to be and in those moments, step back and make sure we mend our own wounds before trying to build something that may leave us permanently scarred. I enjoyed my weekend despite the lack of sleep and I'll need to eventually refocus this week, but I'm sure it will take a few days for my mind and body to catch up. For now, I'll enjoy this bit of lounging and focus in on tomorrow, hoping I can get myself back on track.

~:[CH15 - Day 144]:~ Refuel

 
~:[CH15 - Day 144]:~ Refuel

I'm exhausted. With events over the weekend with two banquets and more, I was famished. On top of it, the last two nights, we were chatting fora awhile,  not realizing how late it had gotten. #teamnosleep. I eventually found my way to the bed and got some rest, but it wasn't enough. On Saturday, I had Japanese class and had to edit the videos, so I woke up early after sleeping late. Today, I didn't have to wake up as early, but still work up to get ready, packed and head out. We went to Chinatown to eat and the first stop we went too had a massive line, thus we headed across the street and found a nice little hole-in-the-wall, never mind, hole-in-the-market. The restaurant is in a market and it was so good. I appreciate the food and wondered if the spicy food would get to me. It did. Regardless, I ate well and tried to re-energize a bit. Of course, my energy bar was low, so hopefully tonight I'll be able to sleep after a busy weekend, however, if someone asked me, I would do it all over again. Aside form the concert, I got to enjoy the evening with my friends and ate good food, which definitely made it worthwhile. It may take a while to increase my social battery, but for now, good foods isn't a bad place to start. Despite the lack of sleep, I still enjoyed the trip, had a few interesting encounters, and created endless memories. The weekend was a bit of a blur, but still yet, it was blur I look forward to happening again. For now though, I will go into hibernation and refuel. 

~:[CH15 - Day 143]:~ Luck or Skill?

 
~:[CH15 - Day 143]:~ Luck or Skill?

We walked down the aisle and we were amazed at where our seats were. My friend did the ticketing and her luck was insane. Was it luck or skill? I think it's a little bit of both. In life, we do need a bit of luck. We need to be at the right place at the right time, make the right connections, and hope things are able to work out. However, it also takes skill. As we watched BTS, you could easily say that they used their skills they developed to arrive at this grandiose centerpiece. BTS had a bit of luck with the perfect timing, but there was definitely some planning and skill on their behalf. There is no way that everything we want to accomplish will come true, however, with the right effort and using our skills correctly, the amount of luck we find will definitely increase. If someone asked me, does it take luck or skill to be successful and I will 100% respond with, "You need to work hard, focus in on\ the goal, and use and develop your traits. In the end, you could ask what is better, luck or skill ... my answer? The harder you work and incorporate your skills, the greater luck you have in life. Thus, develop yourself, learn and grow, and work hard and you will often find that your "luck" often increase with your hard work!

~:[CH15 - Day 142]:~ On the Road Again

 
~:[CH15 - Day 142]:~ On the Road Again

After work, I hit the road. I was on the road again. Most people who know me, anticipate it, but others wonder. As I chatted with a colleague. they said they really never know where I'll be. I arrived safely as I met up with my friends and we ate a delicious meal, Typically, I have a go to order, but looking up at the wall, I noticed an image with a yuzu ramen on the wall and ordered it. I was in love. I would travel 500 miles and 500 more for this and definitely hit the road again. I think the thing about moving around often and quickly is that you appreciate all the variations that come along with the on-the-go life including good food, fun, and great memories. In the end, I stayed up a bit later then called it a night. I was exhausted from driving, but found the energy to chill for a bit longer. It won't be long before I am on the road again in the future, however, in each instance, I will appreciate the opportunity and show appreciation for those who helped me to where I am today.

~:[CH15 - Day 141]:~ Centerstage

 

~:[CH15 - Day 141]:~ Centerstage 

Today was the seniors last day of school as they took centerstage. Everyone focused on them as they were leaving, as they signed shirts and yearbooks, took photos and celebrated together in the quad. Today, the seniors were in the spotlight. They didn't always have the spotlight through the process as they needed to do the work even when nobody was watching and that's key. The work that people put into what they do, is not always centerstage. Before you get into the spotlight, a lot of work in required to fine tune yourself to get there. Later that night, I headed to Whisky a Go Go to capture some moments for Purple Cherry who is headlined by a former Olympian. They rocked the stage and then we headed out and took some fun photos. They too, had a lot of time put in to prep for that stage. Appreciate the accomplishments of people, but understand how much work it takes to get there. Things don't always just fall into your pocket, but when you work towards what you want, it tends to happen more often than not. 

~:[CH15 - Day 140]:~ Miraculous

 
~:[CH15 - Day 140]:~ Miraculous

Somehow, I finished. I probably could have added one more song with the footage I had, but I didn't want to risk it and started rendering at lunch. It finished early. Despite the short timeframe and the file corruption, I somehow made it. Miracles do happen. In life, you'll face dilemmas and problems as I talked about earlier in the week. Instead of wasting the time complaining, do something about it. Make those miracles happen or at least given them a better chance. I needed things to go well and not have any delays and aside from a few minors ones, I wrapped it up. We enjoyed the time in the quad as various people sang their tunes. We celebrated those who excelled and got the top awards. I also appreciated that our seniors made it. They had their ups and downs, but in the end, they made it. It was a fun evening to celebrate together and fill our stomachs, before enjoying the recap of the year together. Many showed their appreciation, thanking me for the work I put in, but little did they know that it truly took a miracle to pull it off. Miracles do happen. 

~:[CH15 - Day 139]:~ A Need for Speed

 

~:[CH15 - Day 139]:~ A Need for Speed

Another year and another track and field banquet done. As similar as it may seem, each and every banquet is different in its own way. From who shows up to how the senior speeches go a the end, there are so many variations of something that may seem so routine. Looking back and the photos as the slideshow went on, it was fun to watch to reminisce about the season we just had, especially the seniors who will be moving on. At the end of the night, I survived another banquet and celebrated with an amazing group of hard working athletes. I always appreciate the time and effort they put in and the fact that they stuck it out. Of course, tonight was not the end of it as no weight was taken off my shoulders. I wrapped up, headed home, unloaded a bit, then headed back to editing. I was exhausted. Throughout the day, I was editing and it was weird to be editing through the night. By night's end, I was already exporting a good portion of the video, waiting to wrap up the final sections just before the banquet. I was happy that somehow, I progressed fairly quickly and it looks like, I just may be able to finish the video, despite the reset due to the corrupted footage. There is a need for speed for this and I'll just use the motivation from my track and field banquet to get through it quickly!

~:[CH15 - Day 138]:~ Why Oh Why?

 
~:[CH15 - Day 138]:~ Why Oh Why?

Why, oh why? I took a short break and saw these cards when I opened the package. I was genuinely confused as I did not order anything like this. It was a scam. I had a money back guarantee, so there was no loss, but the headache caused by this was unnecessary. I've had quite the year of scams as I've had to get three new cards, file my taxes via mail, and settle a few other things here and there and I wonder, why do people stoop to such a level. I know life is tough, but it's a wonder how people manage to go about this without blinking. They just do it naturally. Why, oh why? I guess my technology also wanted to scam me, as when I went to edit last night, I found that my files were corrupted. Today was supposed to be my big editing day for the MUN banquet on Wednesday. I didn't get to edit much. The reconversion took all day and all night, as I lost a day of prep and focused on finalizing everything for track. I asked myself, why, oh why again. With a short time remaining, I wonder if I will be able to finish it, but I have to just focus in and hope I can do it. When things like this happen, it's easy to simply complain, but in reality, it's best to take action, figure out a plan and just try to figure it out. We could sit there and say, why, oh why, but rather, we should say, what should I do now? Instead of letting the obstacles in life stop you, let's keep moving forward, keep progressing, and keep overcoming all the challenges that life throws at you. In the end, I'll be getting a refund, my taxes were filed, and most things were settled, but now I have to hope that the video will work out the same way. Here's to a tough few days ahead.

~:[CH15 - Day 137]:~ Mini Projects

 
~:[CH15 - Day 137]:~ Mini Projects

It was fun to work with Higedan as they launched their first movie screening of their concert in Yokohama. It was great to see a wonderful performance although I did not know much about this group before I started the projected. My job was to produce a few promo material for the event for social media. At first, I was wondering how I should approach it, but in the end, I just compiled it all together and made it into a mini trailer and recap of their work. I loved enjoying Hollywood and the show, as it was cool to think about the footage I created as we watched the concert. I really loved how appreciative the group was of their fans, especially those who started with them in a small hall and now, get to enjoy their performance in an arena in Yokohama. I think I loved the fact that he focused the attention on his fans and how he makes music for them. Essentially, the lead addressed how tough things can be, but together they can move forward together. Mini projects may often guide me to things that are quite unfamiliar, however, still yet, I am appreciative as in most cases, the subject of the projects are genuinely great people. I'll keep taking these mini projects on and see where the road ahead takes me. For now, I'll sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

~:[CH15 - Day 136]:~ Connections

 
~:[CH15 - Day 136]:~ Connections

It wasn't that long ago that I met a group of friends who I have stayed connected with. They are crazy and loyal, but also keep things lively and fun. Interestingly enough, the group isn't local as they come from across the country or the world. From Seattle to Texas, North Carolina and Portugal, the various individuals I connected with has been amazing. It's been fun to enjoy these experienced together and while I put together various reels or media for people, they keep it extraordinarily fun. Because of them, I've also arrived in the spotlight as they always bring attention including the cameras. We've been interviewed by NHK a few times and overall, they always grab attention including being the spot that Suzuka often targets. Overall, Zipangu was a fun experience and it was great reconnecting from everyone who headed their separate ways once again. There always seems to be a piece missing, but for the most part, it's great to see the same core of people together, unified and interconnected. We headed back to AG house that night and chatted about the event including the other artists who were also great. I was exhausted, but I was energized, ready for the busy week ahead. Until next time ...

~:[CH15 - Day 135]:~ Closing Time?

 
~:[CH15 - Day 135]:~ Closing Time?

This year, I talked about how I had the pleasure of meeting one of the singers and songwriters of Closing Time. Today, that song played in my head, as it was closing time for the seniors. Today will the first of the last days for the seniors as it was the last Friday they would be in my classroom. With Thursday being their last day in class, it was a bittersweet moment. Some of the seniors were out, which was a little sad, but for the most part, we got to enjoy this final Friday together. As per tradition, I played the Friday song for the final time as the seniors hit the lights and brought out their phones. It was cool to see them enjoying this final moment. It's a special group as I get to spend so much time with the MUNers, so we form bonds beyond the classroom, which always makes parting a little more difficult. Of course, over time, it's become easier to to get used to, still yet, there is always that feeling of detachment as these moments hit. For now, we'll say it's closing time, but I'm sure there will be many who return back for a second round to say hello or even to work alongside me. I am grateful to work with such amazing students each and every year, as I know I am truly Blessed to work with the best and the brightest that my school has to offer. 

~:[CH15 - Day 134]:~ A Little Off Course

 
~:[CH15 - Day 134]:~ A Little Off Course

I don't know what I was thinking. After designing the league championships shirt, I went on to design the Cow Run shirt (or at least the first draft). My plan was to submit the design earlier so I could get a die-cut design instead of the sticker medal. About a month ago (or may be a few weeks), I was upset and posted about the city's community race. It's been sad that we haven't been able to host the Cow Run there because of all the logistical hurdles to get schools to compete there. I know there are reasons behind it, but then again, when the city wants to host a race and the county supervisor supports it, it gets a green light automatically. I actually wasn't too upset about that. I knew about the race for awhile as someone brought to my attention that in their notes they had, "similar to the Cow Run." What I wasn't expecting was to receive a text from my alum showing them their flier. They had their cow and a cow pun, the staple of our annual themes. Of course, I wasn't too threatened by their design, but still, it was a bit hurtful that we've been doing this for awhile now and they do this along with making it a challenge to hold the race in the park. I think I was a little motivated to finish the design after I thought of the theme to commemorate the FIFA world cup being around here. I came up with "Field of Dreams," but wasn't quite sure how to add in the pun. I looked at all the big stars, but finally, it hit me when I thought, they're all legends. Oh, wait! I know some coaches have battled with the schedule of soccer players, so maybe they won't appreciate the soccer ball on a cross country medal, but "hay," I needed to work in the theme. I actually have the theme for the next two years. I definitely went off course as I was suppose to finish a lot more of my banquet prep work, but my mind wouldn't let me go elsewhere as I was so focused on it. I'll be wrapping up banquet prep in a few hours after this post, but at least I'll be back on track after a day where I went a little of course. In the end, I hope that people will join us on our race on September 5th or help us find sponsors for our event, as we now have some competition who may be trying to knock us off course a bit. Of course, I'm not afraid, as our ohana has always stood strong to help make this race an amazing one, year after year. Thank you to all those who have made it special and I hope I see you on Labor Day Weekend! You all are truly Legend-dairy! 

~:[CH15 - Day 133]:~ The Squeeze

 
~:[CH15 - Day 133]:~ The Squeeze

I really didn't have time today, but I still agreed to take photos for Badminton. I think it reminded me of parents. Parents are so busy, but they often squeeze in the time to make it to various events for their children. They find a way to make it work or they lead themselves to a buffet-style plate of work they'll need to finish later. I planned out my week in my mind and figured, I'd make up the time somewhere and so I headed over and snapped some shots. It was fun to watch this match, as it was the best team in the open division. It was incredible to watch a few of the battles. Many knew what they were up against, yet they did what they could, There were definitely disappointing looks, but I think overall, they kept fighting and did what they could. It was impressive to see so many good players including our own team. I headed home to get the rest of the work done, as I stayed up late. However, there was no regret for doing so, as it was nice to do something a little different. I'm just a bit sad since I added another album to my list of to-do's. Wish me luck in the next week ahead! It's banquet season.

~:[CH15 - Day 132]:~ Editing Away

 
~:[CH15 - Day 132]:~ Editing Away

After a shoot, I normally don't have to do much. I just sort through the photos, make a few adjustments, then export the album. Seems easy enough, right? My goal is to shoot so that I don't have to edit anything after and for the most part, I am able to do that. However, when you have massive albums, it's not easy to do. With senior awards, the birthday, CIF and a few backlogged events, I spent the day sorting through photos and organizing for the track and MUN banquets. It was an editing day. As much as it seems like I would be less busy with season being over, the busy season has just begun. I was pretty happy with how this album came out and while it took until very late a night, I sent out the albums and the performers seemed happy with it. Editing is apart of the process of photography. At times it's overwhelming, but once you see the final product, it makes it all worth it in the end. Can you think of a photo I took that you truly enjoyed?

~:[CH15 - Day 131]:~ At Least You're There

 
~:[CH15 - Day 131]:~ At Least You're There

Maybe I should have worn one of those half jerseys. I am a proud anteater, but my family is also from Hawaii, so today felt like a win-win situation. However, still yet, with no connection to the university, it was quite painful to experience the loss. At the start, the 'eaters were in control as they clearly controlled the first set. They struggled a bit in the second set, but in the third and fourth set, I felt like they had a chance. In the end, they fell short. Decked out proudly in UCI gear, I had to walk by hoards of Hawaii fans. It made me sad every time I did, but I was proud of UCI for being there. You always want to win in that situation, but how many teams can say they've been there? Outside hitter Louis Sakanoko was too much to handle and their libero and others made some incredible digs to help kill the momentum of the 'eaters. There were a few chances to regain momentum, but ultimately, Hawaii pulled away. In the end, I could have thought of it as a wasted trip, but I enjoyed the experience of being there, loved being around the loyal UCI fans, had a great meal in Westwood and even ran into an alumni. I was glad I'm there and the 'eaters should be proud that they were too. It will sting a bit that they were that close to a championship, but in the end, there can only be one winner and tonight, Hawaii was just better. Congrats to both teams, as you should both be proud of being here in the national spotlight. Even in defeat, let's try our best to be proud of all the accomplishments we reach, even if they fall short of our ultimate goal.

~:[CH15 - Day 130]:~ No Mis-steak

 
~:[CH15 - Day 130]:~ No Mis-steak

I didn't have to think too hard about what to cook tonight. My mom likes meat from steaks to prime rib, you usually can't disappoint her if you go that direction. I bought a nice steak early on and had to think about how to cook it. I went back and forth, but ended up with a soy butter garlic glaze that ended up being perfect. We don't do much on holidays and celebrations, but we do end up cooking up something nice to enjoy together around the house. We avoided the crowds and still enjoyed a great meal. I spent the remainder of the day getting prepped for our banquets upcoming, but it was nice to take some time to spend with my family and appreciate each other's company. Let's make no mis-steak, that even though we stayed home, it definitely was a day to celebrate and we truly enjoyed it together. Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful and amazing mothers or mother-like figures out there!

~:[CH15 - Day 129]:~ Progress

 
~:[CH15 - Day 129]:~ Progress

It's easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you're among the crowd in division II, however, I always tell my athletes to just focus on themselves and do what they can do. Some can do it, some get intimidated before it even begins. Regardless, my focus is progress. How have you improved? Do you go out and challenge? At the end of the day, race after race and event after event, we had the same result, "I didn't qualify," but it wasn't a disappointing day. Of course, it would have been nice if my discus thrower didn't scratch, as he threw long enough to qualify, but regardless if he moved on or not, I would be proud of everyone who went out there and gave it their best. My vaulter and high jumper nearly had a new PR, my 200m runner got some experience as a freshman, and my distance runner broke the 2-minute barrier by 0.01. There were are a lot more great stories, but the best thing is to see them progress. They learned through the experience and know what it takes in the future to get better. We ended up scratching the 4x400m for various reasons so we ended up heading home a lot earlier than expected. We enjoyed the mall together before heading home and with that our season had ended. This was our last year in our current league, so we'll see how things go next  year, but at least for now, we know we can applaud ourselves because of the progress we made.

~:[CH15 - Day 128]:~ Back-to-Back

 
~:[CH15 - Day 128]:~ Back-to-Back

With senior awards of Friday, it would be a busy day. After heading out to practice, I bolted over to the gym to capture the moments for Senior Awards. I was amazed that this event is already here as it means the end of the year is already here. I was proud to have so many of my students on stage once again and they truly deserved to be standing up there. I actually had an event that was ongoing at the same time, so I bolted out after it was finished and took photos at the birthday celebration. When a normal person has a birthday, it might be dinner or a party, but when an idol has a birthday, a performance celebration is imminent. It was fun to capture all the moments, but I was truly exhausted when I got home and knew there was an early morning, so I transferred the photos and prepped for the day ahead. 

~:[CH15 - Day 127]:~ A Little Busy, A Little Annoyed

 
~:[CH15 - Day 127]:~ A Little Busy, A Little Annoyed

I was busy today as I had to make a reel for Official Hige Dandism. The group is from Japan and will be hosting a screening of their last performance in Yokohama. I was honored to be working on the promo clips for this. I integrated their music videos and the anime songs and it just seemed to mesh well, which was cool. After wrapping that up, I was headed out to do a few errands, but I forgot my keys and ended up getting suck on campus. I was a little annoyed as it creates a sense of less importance to future drills I know alot of the AP kids were negatively impacted by all that is going on and I feel for them as they navigate these problems. It's been an inconvenience, but for me, the timing ended up working out fairly well as it didn't quite impact my classroom plans. I hope that the person behind this can realize the headaches they are creating for everyone and I truly hope that the person is tracked down. I was already a little busy this week, but all of this has made me a little bit busier, leaving me a bit annoyed as well alongside those students. In the end, we're losing time, which is a little annoying, but I am sure that we'll all figure out a way to balance it all in the end and more importantly, I am glad we are all safe. 

~:[CH15 - Day 126]:~ Togetherness

 
~:[CH15 - Day 126]:~ Togetherness

With CIF coming up this weekend, we hosted our annual CIF diner. It's always nice to treat the team out so they can enjoy time together. We used to wait in the long lines at Olive Garden, often not knowing how long we had been waiting for and so we switched over and now we go to Sweetee Thai. No matter what they think of the food, just simply being together is something more valuable than anything else. I thought it was cool to see their phones stacked on the table, as they interacted and truly appreciated their time together. Life is so easy to get distracted and to build a wall between ourselves and others, but when we spend time together and open up just a bit, we can find that there are so many greater joys that we have yet to uncover. Enjoy your moments with those around you, enjoy the togetherness, but most important, be sure to enjoy the moment, not allowing things, such as phones, to get in the way of your interconnectivity. 

~:[CH15 - Day 125]:~ Time to Celebrate

 
~:[CH15 - Day 125]:~ Time to Celebrate

It may be Cinco de Mayo, a very historical event celebrating their victory, however, May 5th has always been the celebration of my two cousins who were born on the same year, five years apart. It's a festival day as it's also paired with Children's Day and somehow I still get something even in my ripe old age. Despite the fact that it was a rough start to the week, I still found the time and energy to celebrate another year for my cousin. Some days seem quite normal and regular, but there are those days full of such joy and memories, the thing that will make us the richest when we pass away. Enjoy life. Celebrate. Don't forget that work just allows us to gain the mans to enjoy things in life. As much as we want to be a success in life, I hope we can all realize that life isn't all about work, but you must also find time to celebrate and enjoy life. 

~:[CH15 - Day 124]:~ Following the Footsteps

 
~:[CH15 - Day 124]:~ Following the Footsteps

Today started the stretch of my freshman teaching the class. I followed in the footsteps of my mentor teacher who did this with her classes. It's great to be able to create your own ideas and design your own materials as a teacher, but when you see a good idea, use it. Give credit where credit is due, however, it's okay to follow in someone else's footsteps for a bit. I even am able to generate new ideas from the ideas of my own students, which is pretty cool, a teacher following a student. Just because we are older, doesn't make us the know all, rather, in our lives, we must continuously learn and grow to keep pace. Learning doesn't just come from those who are experienced, but also from those who are still developing themselves. Although they don't have any experience under their belt, they too can be a stepping stone for me so I can follow in the footsteps of someone who came before me, with my own variations of course.

~:[CH15 - Day 123]:~ Just Try

 
~:[CH15 - Day 123]:~ Just Try

Too short? Too slow? Too inexperienced? People are going to tell you that you're not good enough, but the question is, do you listen? Sometimes that person telling you this is yourself as you turn around and walk away, sometimes from something that you love. If you love it or just want to do it, why not jus try? Why do you listen to those who try to bring you down and why don't you just go out there and try? As I watch these little ones play basketball, I love how hard they run around chasing the ball and making an effort to get it back. They give it their all and then some. They may not comprehend all that is going on or even be as skilled as others they are playing, but the fact that they're out there trying, makes me appreciate the moment. They're learning important life lessons. It's easier to be born with skills and win than it is to not be and keep trying. It's easy to give up in life when others are more talented. I am not saying that those who are good in something don't have it tough. As they ascending to the higher levels though, they become that small fish in a large lake or ocean. They have it tougher as they try to keep moving up the ladder, much like those who started out that way. Just try and give it your best shot. When you do, you improve and when you improve, you really don't know how far you can go. We ended up losing, but the team played hard and that's all you really can ask for. They'll need to go back and work on some things, but as long as they're working at it, they'll improve as their bodies and minds grow and learn how to improve. They'll be come more skilled and more knowledgeable as time goes by and who knows where they will be in the end. Even if they choose a different path in the end, the lessons they learned will be carried with them. As I reflected back as I sorted through the photos, I was happy that I went today again, as part of me wanted to sleep in. As at the end of the day, I was inspired and reminded to always put my best foot forward, especially when the odds are stacked against me. There are many obstacles waiting on the road ahead of me, but even when they look insurmountable, I'll never know unless I just try. 

~:[CH15 - Day 122]:~ Recovery

 
~:[CH15 - Day 122]:~ Recovery

I woke up early thinking I had a meeting today. It was next week. I really needed to sleep in, but I wok up early and the rest of the day, I paid the price. I wanted a recovery day and I got some rest, but not as much as I wanted. Still yet, I enjoyed getting out there and watching the FOR tournament game. I miss the days of playing in those tournaments and it was fun watching. We played one of the best teams, so it was difficult, but still yet, our athletes played as hard as they could. Finally, our best scorers stared hitting some shots and at the end of the game, the kids were back to enjoying themselves. My throat felt a little raspy, so I was glad that we were headed towards a ramen shop. My parents frequent the spot a lot and they wanted to take me since we were in Torrance. I got the spicy black garlic, which is a combination I had not had. It ended up begin a great way to soothe my throat and helped in my recovery. When I got home, I got work a bit, but was a bit exhausted. I didn't do as much as I wanted, but it also meant, I got a little bit more recovery time. Find things that help soothe your body, heart, and soul and carve out time to soak it all in. As this world and all your responsibilities can be overwhelming, but with recovery time, you'll be able to be ready for the many days ahead. You can do it!

~:[CH15 - Day 121]:~ How to Win a Title

 
~:[CH15 - Day 121]:~ How to Win a Title

I was a little worried about how this track season would go. We graduated a number of top athletes and a chunk did not return. Some seniors quit and we had a number of transfers, leaving us with gaps and holes all across the board, especially on the girls side. I had a sprinter add the hurdles, vaulters move to jumps, hurdlers and vaulters running distance, and sprinters out there throwing. We had groups of athletes who would get out there and work hard every day, setting up and cleaning up. We had coaches willing to stick around. We had some pitfalls here and there and obstacles to clear. Injuries kept some high scoring athletes out or a few no shows knocked our totals down. Even after losing four MVP or MVP caliber athletes, we still were able to hold the ship together and even came back with two MVPs. How to win a title? It's not always coaching, it's also about having the athletes who are willing to step up and do the work to get where they need to be. Our hurdlers were probably our most dedicated group and it showed as we took the top spot in three of the four varsity divisions. Our vaulters have always been the ones out there the longest. Throwers had to step it up and guide themselves a bit, yet did so well. With a delay due to our timer, we didn't get to celebrate much as the driver was ready to leave us behind, but we still celebrated our athletes and the work that they put in. With a large contingent of seniors, it will be sad to see them go,  however, I hope that they showed the underclassmen what it takes to win a title. They need to work hard, they need to take initiative and they need to go above and beyond to earn that title, rather than to just expect it. There are a lot of young athletes within this group and so I am hoping that they'll return next year. With a new league, things will be a lot more challenging, however, as long as they get out there and do what they need to do, we truly will be proud of them, championship or not. For now, we'll celebrate, but not for too long, as the work for next year will begin relatively soon. Congrats track & field Dons!