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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~:[CH15 - 234日目]:~ 悠長な時間はない

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~:[CH15 - Day 228]:~ Anxiety

 
~:[CH15 - Day 228]:~ Anxiety

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 
~:[CH15 - Day 224]:~ On Display

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

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

 
~:[CH15 - Day 223]:~ Back on Track

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

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

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

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

~:[CH15 - Day 221]:~ TOGETHERNESS

 
~:[CH15 - Day 221]:~ TOGETHERNESS

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

~:[CH15 - Day 220]:~ The Spirit of the Game

~:[CH15 - Day 220]:~ The Spirit of the Game

What is the purpose of youth sports? At a young age, having these youths grow to love the game is important. Let them learn, let them grown, and let them make mistakes and correct them. This team has seen it's struggles, but they have been learning and trying to improve over time. After a tough night's sleep, we headed over to the game in Las Vegas at 5am. We didn't hit much traffic so we ended up having to burn a little time before going to the gym. We struggled in the first half, but made some adjustments and started to play better defense and score, which we did little of in the first half. There wasn't frustration or anything of the sort, just a hope that they would do better. I wasn't too comfortable hearing a lot of what was being said when I went to the other side to take photos for the second half. I felt a little bad for the other team. Although they were winning, when we made our run, the tone projected towards them made me worry that they wouldn't enjoy the game in the future. Sure, it could end up making them focused and super sharp, but it's a bit of a risk. After a nice lunch, we headed back to the gym after our first game and played a much better second game. The tone on both sides is what I hoped for. Supportive cheering focused on their athletes, trying to get them to do their best. In the end, one of our athletes hit a buzzer beater to end a great game and they looked so happy in the end. I hope that win or lose, that same look is apparent. It's human nature to be disappointed after a loss, but when you allow winning to be the formula to happiness, it could lead you down a slippery slope. Enjoying the game and the opportunity to play it should be the first goal, as when it's the foundation for athletes, then finding the motivation to work harder and perform better often becomes a lot easier. After day one, I was happy with how the team continued to battle in the first game, despite the loss and how they came back with a solid performance in game two. We enjoyed a night out despite our exhaustion and did a little exploring, but the highlight of our day was having the opportunity to watch the team be surrounded by the true spirit of the game. I hope that as time goes on, we challenge them, while also make sure that it doesn't become just about the end result. It's not a participation trophy, it's a life lesson. Win or lose, go out and give it your all with the right attitude and spirit.

~:[CH15 - Day 219]:~ What Lies Ahead

 

~:[CH15 - Day 219]:~ What Lies Ahead

I didn't sleep too well last night, so I was debating whether or not to go to PD today. My eyes opened up and I shot up and headed out. I didn't let myself hesitate and went. It ended up going smoothly and I picked up some tips throughout the day. It was nice to also catch up with some of my friends as we struggled together to make it through the end. Afterward, the second debate began, whether I could make it to bonfire. I was already exhausted and needing to leave for Las Vegas in the morning, I didn't want to be too tired. I went out. I decided that since I was gone all summer, I wanted to be there for the athletes and I headed over for the second half of the event. It was worth it. I headed back to take care of a few things as it wrapped up, but I was glad that I ended u going. Looking at this picture, I thought of how different things felt this year and how my mindset has changed. I was stuck in a very systematic life prior and thus, everything may feel a little off from time to time. From today's experiences, I hope that it means that what lies ahead for me is a series of moments where I take on the opportunity in front of me and don't hesitate. It won't always go well, but the opportunities that lie out there are many and I hope I take on many of them. For now, I'll do my best to catch some Zs after a very tough stretch, hoping that what lies ahead are great moments full of amazing memories.

~:[CH15 - Day 218]:~ The Memories Digitized

 
~:[CH15 - Day 218]:~ The Memories Digitized

The satisfaction of getting everything organized is amazing. As I put away my final things from the trip, my laundry folded, and my final messages sent out, I also was wrapping up the hardest task of all, sorting out my digital files. For most, it's a process of finding the most scenic and memorable pictures, but for me, it's a matter of sorting individuals, events, meetings, and more. Everyone always asks me how I am able to find photos and videos when I need them and this is the most important way. As I sorted out my files, I divided them by category and put them all into their drives and folders where I can easily recall them. As I did, I was able to remember parts of my journey that I had forgotten.  I think it's easier when we had film, as we can physically look at each photo and recall these memories, With digitized photos, sometimes those memories get buried under thousands of files, never to be seen again. I try my best to ensure that the memories of these days don't become forgotten as I can highlight some of the photos and store away the rest to be reviewed another day. One day, maybe all these photos will suddenly disappear, but for now, I'll treasure what I have, hoping that I can stay forever connected to these memories I've developed over time. I still have a little ways to go before my final photos are stored away, but for now, as each photo gets put away, I'll be sure to recollect the memories that comes along with each precious file. 

~:[CH15 - Day 217]:~ Feeling Foreign

 
~:[CH15 - Day 217]:~ Feeling Foreign 

The menu was a little bit different than usual. I was hoping for Afuri ramen, but they changed up the menu and that was gone along with a fugu dish I've been ordering. Since it's inclusive, I can't complain. I tried out a few dishes, which still were quite delicious as I worked hard to finish up some work that had yet to be completed. I normally sit by the window in the plane, but since I booked my flight home late, it wasn't available. I'm not sure if that's why I had trouble sleeping, but my rest wasn't as good as I had hoped. As I arrived home, I was glad to escape the humidity and to see my family again. However, I still had to adjust a bit as I felt a little foreign in my own city. I'll have to get used to driving and having to spend a little more time to get some food or a drink, but then again, the comforts of home are tough to beat as well. I'll have to get used to the bell schedule soon enough and the traffic as well, but it will all adjust and adapt. Yesterday, I talked about how we become accustomed to things in our life and similarly, I noticed many of the things that I got used to that were no longer. Many probably are or will experience something similar as they return to their normal and I wonder if over time, they truly return to normal or if we hedge a little closer to remaining foreign. I caught up on a lot I needed to do, but still fell short of what I needed to accomplish today. I worked a lot while I was away, but maybe I lost my ability to work as quick. My body and mind will adjust and adapt and just like this dish, life will still be delicious, even though it may not be the same as it was before. There's nothing wrong with that. Let's make the most of our days even when it feels like everything has changed as in life, things were meant to change.

~:[CH15 - Day 216]:~ (Un)Accustomed

 
~:[CH15 - Day 216]:~ (Un)Accustomed 

I sat down with a final meal with a friend. I decided to stay around in Tokyo instead of taking a gig that was about 90 minutes away. There were a lot of benefits to going there, but I decided, my last day should be relaxing and comfortable. It was. I was getting accustomed to the prices in Japan, as I sat there in front my dish that would be over twenty dollars in the US. It was half that. I arrived to this place by train, something I won't have the luxury of when I go home as I conveniently jet from place to place, knowing exactly how long it will take. Of course, I will not miss the humidity and the language barrier, but there were so many things I was once unaccustomed to that became so ordinary. There are pros and cons wherever I go and there will be benefits when I set foot back at home, however, there will be a longing for those things I left behind as the day cannot come fast enough when I'll be back to the place that grew on me. With the mindset that it wasn't a vacation going in, I truly embraced a normal daily schedule, as I went from meeting to event to appointment. It didn't matter that I was busy. We all find our points in life that feel comfortable and this was one of them for me. I settled in. Of course, I cannot hold on to what was as I must adapt back to what I will feel unaccustomed to once again, but that comfort level will come over time until the day I leave again. I'll stop looking over my shoulder, rather look ahead, as another chance at growing, learning, and experiencing lies ahead. Like a strand of spaghetti, eventually our journey will end, still yet, we can still enjoy the many flavors that life has waiting for us. I finished my pasta as we ventured out a bit longer before I headed back to prepare for my departure. A sadness overcame me as I realized tomorrow would be my last, still yet, I was glad that today and every day before it exists as it did. Thank you to everyone who was apart of my past, my present, and will be part of my future.

~:[CH15 - Day 215]:~ On Air

 
~:[CH15 - Day 215]:~ On Air

I had a meeting in the day, but after that I had some free time. Thinking about what to do, I ended up catching the radio broadcast of Yurimaru. While I will be seeing her in a few weeks, it was a nice chance to say a final farewell in person before heading off. Our timing was on for events, but a little off otherwise, so hopefully our timing will be better the next round. For now, I was glad to see a different view of things as I watched the broadcast and captured a few moments from outside the studio. I find myself chasing new experiences and glad that I went out of my way today to catch the show. When your chance comes, get out there and try something new and you may just find yourself riding a wave you never thought you'd find. Signing off!

~:[CH15 - Day 214]:~ In Your Own Style

 
~:[CH15 - Day 214]:~ In Your Own Style

I think society has us believing that following the trends is the way to go, but why don't we just follow our own style? It was cool to watch the Ballet the New Classic. Kentaro Mistumori did an amazing job as always as he showed off a different vibe than most of the other dancers. He suffered an injury this year, so it seemed like his choreography had a list lesson aeriels, however, it still was amazing. In the second act, the cast showed off a range of styles, which was actually pretty cool to watch, as most people are probably used to them doing something more traditional. It was great to meet some of them and chat backstage after the show before heading off. I think today was a good reminder that we don't have to follow the trends to excel. Just like my friend Kentaro, we can do our own thing and truly excel beyond what we may have ever expected. Amazing work!

~:[CH15 - Day 213]:~ Sailing ... Far Away

 

~:[CH15 - Day 213]:~ Sailing ... Far Away

One of the artists that I work with wanted to do a live on a boat. There were some naysayers, but she proceeded with the event and it went well. There was some threats of storms early on, but it ended up being a sunny (maybe too hot) of a day. It was a burning up a bit while on the boat, but we all enjoyed the fire that was on the stage. The concert was in Yokohama so it took a bit of time to get down there, but ultimately, it ended up being work the trek as the artists did well. It was great to see Aonyan for the first time since early June. Luckily, I'll be seeing here in a few weeks in LA too! At the end of the event, Yurimaru was pretty pleased as the event went well and it definitely deserved a standing ovation for a great event. While I could have gone home after, I traveled further down south as I headed to Atsugi, an hour away from Yokohama. With a train delay, it took a bit longer than planned, but I got to the event. Luckily, it was a small event and thus it wasn't hard to find a spot. It was both mine and Yurapico's second event of the day and so both of us were pretty exhausted. After the event, a few of us chilled and had a good meal before heading our separate ways. We never know where life will take us, but when we put up our sails, sometimes we just go where the wind takes us and often we will be pleased with where we end up! Ships ahoy!