~:[CH5 - Day 364]:~ Transformations

~:[CH5 - Day 364]:~ Transformations

I finished the evening browsing through old photos. After spending the morning cleaning up around the house, I met up with a former runner. Some students I have are ready made and some make a transformation and really take off. This one was definitely a handful as he was making his way through high school and while one of my top runners, I ended up naming a few of my white hairs after him. Despite that, he always had goodness in his heart and also was surrounded by a family that I loved. In the end, life transformed him as he figured things out, as he goes through his radiology rotations. In talking to him, it is incredible to reflect on all the "obstacles" faced and also to remember all the greatest memories we had. I was so proud of how he has transformed and to know how great of an impact he will have on many of those he will cross. With every alum I get to see over the holidays and breaks, it makes me feel as I am the richest man in the world. Later that evening, I had another meet up and it felt good knowing that great things will be coming her way as well, much like it has for Mark. It's always sad to see students come and go, but is definitely wonderful when in the end, you see them grow into these incredible individuals that you are proud to have known. It's definitely a good lesson for us all that no matter where we come from, at some point, we can make the choice to transform and while things may get in the way, with the right mindset and drive, all things are definitely possible. I had a lot of cleaning to do and as terrible as that could have been, it was easy, as today was truly a great one. Strangely enough, by the end of the night, my room also had a transformation, as what was once an eye sore, became something I realized I should have shown this much appreciation for all along. 

~:[CH5 - Day 363]:~ Something to Appreciate

~:[CH5 - Day 363]:~ Something to Appreciate

Today was my second worst drive home from Vegas only worse than a nearly ten hour drive through wind storms, thunderstorms and accidents. After checking out at 11am, we grabbed some food then headed on our way. It would be nearly 7pm before we arrived home. As while it was a terrible drive, especially through the Cajon Pass, there was much to appreciate. Simply the fact that we were alive was a good enough reason, but the beautiful nature that surrounded us and the celebration of a great weekend made me appreciate even more the greatness of the day despite the challenges the drive home posed. Upon arriving home, I quickly grabbed some food and whipped up dinner, as I sat down and had a catch up dinner complete with a hilarious game. It was nice to simply chat and relax before grabbing a quick boba and then relaxing some more into the night. Fatigue hit me hard, but when I looked back, I may have lost a few hours, but I gained so much more in return today. Appreciate all the goodness that surrounds you, even when things seem miserable and the challenges that come your way seem too challenging, we should appreciate all the wonders and beauty of this world.

~:[CH5 - Day 362]:~ In Detail

~:[CH5 - Day 362]:~ In Detail

In counting down to the final few entries of 2016, I noticed that I had made a mistake numbering way back in July. It happens every year and I beat myself up over it, as I have to back and fix the number. It's an imperfection that I cannot handle. However, when walking the strip last night, I once again adored the magic of the architecture and design of all the buildings and how much detail was put into each. Much like my error, in the design and construction of these masterful works of art, there is some detail that is off that the designer is beating themselves up over. As I thought more about it, however, I wonder why we do this to ourselves. In our errors and our mistakes, we find our humanness qualities that make each of us distinct. Similarly, we judge our own selves too much sometimes from our height to our weight to our body parts and even our clothes. While not all others may appreciate the beautiful details of these buildings, those that do, do not see imperfections, rather the beauty and amazingness of these structures as a whole, appreciating the details that each possesses. This humanness is our best quality as it tests us, challenges us, and ultimately helps us grow. It teaches us how to adapt, adjust and accept. It gives us confidence when we learn to accept that we are not perfect and in reality none of us humans are. We all make mistakes, have our flaws, but that is the beauty of life and it that, we find the color in our days helping us discover who we are and what we are made of. In recent days, I have heard a number of songs that talk about accepting who we are because we are special and beautiful. Sadly, not a lot of people see it this way. In reality, know that you are all beautiful and what you see as your flaws are actually the details that make you distinct and ultimately beautiful. You'll have to deal with those who cannot see that and often who are dealing with the view of themselves, but the more we help ourselves see and ultimately those around you see, the more this world will understand that our imperfections are truly gifts that we should embrace. 

~:[CH5 - Day 360]:~ Change in Pace

~:[CH5 - Day 360]:~ Change in Pace

Today was quite the smorgasbord of tasks that came together as one. From catching up in the morning over pho to help finish off this cold to a photo shoot with the girls basketball team, it felt like different pieces of a puzzle that didn't quite fit together, yet still made a fabulous image. I was a little upset when I found out that someone had stolen some items from our track shed and made a mess that I will have to clean up soon, however, you cannot let those things ruin a day, as I used it as motivation to get things done from my oil change to finally cleaning my car to doing a good number of loads of laundry and finishing up the cleaning of my rooms. I was definitely productive and despite the range of tasks on the day, I look back and smile. It was by no means picture perfect, but I definitely will take it. 

~:[CH5 - Day 359]:~ Simple

~:[CH5 - Day 359]:~ Simple

After the presents are unwrapped and the time with family and friends is spent, Christmas comes down to one thing, the birth of Christ. It's always good to remember that while the traditions of the holiday has been so commercialized, the "gifts" we give should be our love and compassion and we should also take time to celebration Him. While we each will do this in our own way, I always think that the best way we can do this is by showing heart and compassion to those around us, by giving all that we can afford to give to those less fortunate and to those who are deserving with no intentions of hoping to get something in return. It's simple. To hear the stories of families together, of sharing, of celebration, and of love, I am always deeply touched and hope that the meaning of this celebration can shed all its layers so that we can remember what its all about. I have been so overjoyed to celebrate with my family and am thankful for all the opportunities that I have been given. I am thankful for loving and caring friends and hope that I may pass on love and compassion to you all in the coming days. After a day of family, cleaning and catching up, I ventured out to find a place to go to have a chat and we ended up stopping off at McDonalds. The technological, yet simple design of the table intrigued us as we talked into the night and by the end of the night, I knew this was the cherry on top of a day that felt so amazing. The gifts were wonderful, yet the amazing messages and quality time was what made today even more special. Whether Christian or not, I hope that moving forward, we can all show love and compassion to those around us, stranger and friend; that we can show selflessness and give as much as we can afford; and that we can show the kind of character, morality and ethics that we hope our future generations will display. To all, I wish you a Happy Holidays, no matter what holiday you celebrate and to all those who celebrate, I wish you a Merry Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Christ. 

~:[CH5 - Day 358]:~ Let the Festivities Begin

~:[CH5 - Day 358]:~ Let the Festivities Begin

The holiday season is a little crazy and it was ever so evident as I walked into Ralph's. The crowds of people were ridiculous making me realize, I should have come earlier. Of course, the Packers game kept me at home before I finally decided to go out. I got my food, picked up a milk tea before heading home to prep gifts, cook and then relax before the family party. It's always great to see everyone and this year there were more people than ever. It was a packed house and seemed like it was fifty strong. Our food spread was amazing and added to our dessert spread, it was magical. However, the true magic was the time spent with family whether it was the photo ops with Santa or playing Bingo into the night. By night's end, we were all exhausted with most knowing that tomorrow would be another day for us to get together. It's nice that as busy as we all are, there is at least a period of time where we can slow time and spend some quality time together. In many cases, we don't appreciate enough the friends and family we have and this always is a reminder that we should make as much time for them as possible, a definite must for me. By night's end, I wanted to sleep, but I hung out for just a bit before heading home. From playing Santa to running many of the games, I was exhausted, but it was well worth it all. 

~:[CH5 - Day 357]:~ Taking a Shot

~:[CH5 - Day 357]:~ Taking a Shot

I got to sleep in longer than normal, but still had to wake up early as I was meeting at pho for a short catch up. I've been eating here a lot because I have been a little sick, it's quick and the staff is great. It's super nice going in the morning too because it's not very crowded at all. Regardless, it was a nice catch up before I headed to Target to pick up a final few things before heading to LA. The weather wasn't too bad when we got there as we headed into the Staples Center for the game. We had a pretty bad start to our game, down 30-15, however, we fought back and had a shot at the end of the game to tie it. It didn't go in. However, the team fought hard and you had to be proud of their effort. While the JV team lost, the fteshman team had a thrilling game where they went to overtime and won! It's the third year in a row that they went to overtime at the Staples Center. We had a nice dinner together before heading back to the Staples for the Clippers game. Sadly, they lost, but it was nice being with the family and just relaxing for the night. As we left for the night, the rain poured hard overhead and it did not resemble an evening in Los Angeles at all. Boy do we need this rain, but it was a little troubling getting to the car with the alley we normally walk down turning into a small creek. We were soaked by the time we got into the car, but, I think it was comforting to know that we were surrounded by each other. It may not have been the perfect day, but there isn't much I would change about it, as the moments like these that you get to spend with your family are priceless. 

~:[CH5 - Day 356]:~ Happy I Am Wishing Your Holiday To Be

~:[CH5 - Day 356]:~ Happy I Am Wishing Your Holiday To Be

I knew today would be a little crazy, but with one less things, it ended up being fairly calm. As I wrapped up 2016 with some videos and classwork, I cleaned my room to prepare for the new carpet. This whole process has been a headache and now this will be my third time packing up my room in 2016! Regardless, it was nice to see a clean room and everyone that walked in wondered, what happened here? It's nice to clean things up for the new year. We often believe that how everything is when you close out the year will signify how it will be when the new year arrives. Every year it's been messy so maybe this year, things will change. After a selfie with my best friend, a bowl of pho to warm my soul and a weight lifting challenge taking boxes to my van, I headed to the town center, relaxed at TapEx before heading to meet up with a friend in LA. Today ended up being a fairly light day. As I sit here, waiting for my laundry to finish, partitioning my new cloud, and getting prepped tomorrow, I can help but think how fast this year has gone and how I am excited for these holiday celebrations to begin. While I still will be wishing everyone a happy holiday, today, I say, "Happy I am Wishing Your Holiday to Be." May you have a great one and be blessed with a greater goodness than what lies within your heart. 

~:[CH5 - Day 355]:~ The Sign in the Sky

~:[CH5 - Day 355]:~ The Sign in the Sky

Sometimes the sign point to something that you may not quite realize at the moment, but still leave you breathless. As while the day was a little crazy between grading, cleaning, and taking care of a checklist of items, I also had time to catch up with people, congratulate some, and also write messages to a load of others. After the rain cleared and my 7th period was able to complete their dance final, I smiled as I looked up to the sky, as in a year we brought back No Rain, No Rainbows for our CIF theme, a full rainbow appeared overhead on our last day of 2016. Coincidence? I think not. It was a year where there were some challenges and adjusting, but in the end, it resulted in a year where the storms passed through and left us with a reminder that there are greater things on the horizon. What is in store in 2017? Who knows, but at least I know that despite the struggles, I have pushed through and have found myself at a place that I am content and happy to be at. While some of my hopes for 2016 did not happen, I did what I could to make it happen and stand here, rewarded with a sight so rare and beautiful that you take a moment in between all the craziness of the day to just soak it all in. No more worries of what to do, questioning if things will work out or where you should go from here. Rather, you are left simply appreciating the beauty that surrounds you and the Creator who made this all happen. For this moment, all is silent and all is well, as my hope is restored for all that is possible going forward, taking this sign as my inspiration.

~:[CH5 - Day 354]:~ With Every Piece

~:[CH5 - Day 354:~ With Every Piece

I opened the day with stack full of papers I needed to grade and I knew it would be a crazy day. Before I knew it, however, the day was done and all was complete. With today being soup kitchen, I lugged over my crock pot full of chili, however, I was sad because it wasn't mixed enough and I ended up burning the beans a little. Regardless, I was happy to bring in a soup that at least when I tried it, was fairly delicious. Forgetting it was soup kitchen and rally schedule, I made plans and met up for pho during my off period. As the pieces of the day came together, I started to see each component of my life coming all together. From the classroom, to the PE class after school dancing away, relaxing at TapEx, stopping off at Downtown Disney, eating at Del Taco with stops at Starbucks, Town Center and finally Allen's. Stepping back to take a look, I admire how awesome of a day today was and how amazing life has been. However, when you look a little closer, you begin to see all the small things that went up into making something so amazing as you see each piece that has contributed to making these iconic pieces. It truly resembles the idea that every person you meet changes your life as it points you in a new direction. Whether I got the girl or not, won or lost the race, fell on stage or whatever the detail may be, it contributes to who we are and how we live our lives going forward. Sure, a simple moment or gesture may seem insignificant, however, a number of these insignificant moments can be made into something greater than we could have every imagined.

~:[CH5 - Day 352]:~ Friend Zone

~:[CH5 - Day 352]:~ Friend Zone

The title? Simply to catch your attention; however, today was truly about friends. As I got to relax and sleep in with no morning agenda, I showered and then headed to meet my friends. Yes, I was eating Korean BBQ again. Luckily, this place was not AYCE, so I didn't leave rolling out of there and it also was different than most places I had been to in the states. Every meat we ordered was prepared by the staff and the quality of the meat was pretty good as well. We finished our meal with a little game of the number shocking game. It was fun to test it out and so I ended up getting one for myself. We'll see how that goes. Regardless, it was a great way to end the weekend, as I haven't been able to see my friends in awhile. I then headed home to catch a few games and relax, as I took a short nap before heading back out. I had another catch up which started at TapEx went to Poke Bar and ended back at TapEx. It's always great catching up and sharing great stories and it really makes you appreciate friends. While friend zone is often shed in a negative light, I really thing that in the end, your friends are what make life bearable and memorable. As while many relationships are temporary, you often find friends who are there for your for a lifetime. 

~:[CH5 - Day 351]:~ From Start to Finish

~:[CH5 - Day 351]:~ From Start to Finish

While I have a number of activities to go through the week, I got through the toughest stretch already which allowed me to relax and sleep last night. I had to wake up early again today in order to head to school for the Stussy Sale. It always is a challenge running the sale because it's not about simply doing our job, but making sure we do it well. It's always hard to get the workers to make sure they do their job instead of shop, but it was great to have them take care of everything and leave the parking lot area we used cleaner than when we started! We locked the gates up and headed off. I wasted a bit of time before heading to our captain's dinner at BBQ Night. I always look forward to eating here because it has much better service than most places and the food quality is pretty good. Of course, if you don't come at the right time, you will hit loads of crowds. It was great to see a few alumni working there and catching up. The gift exchange was perfect as we hit no dead ends and the gifts were excellently planned out in the limited amount of time that we had! At the end of the night, a detour took me into Forest Lawn and since I was there, I ended up stopping to visit RNR. I had never visited during the holiday so it was cool to see the tree that was there with her baby picture at the very top. Even in the pitch dark, it was worth the visit. One of my captains was able to visit the site for the first time and that moment truly wrapped up this day for me as I took a few steps away to allow them to have their moment. I was exhausted when I got home, but I relaxed a bit and while I have a few things left to do, it pales in comparison to my schedule the past few months. It's time to relax, enjoy, be merry and simply smile - it's holiday time!

~:[CH5 - Day 350]:~ Music to My Ears

~:[CH5 - Day 350]:~ Music to My Ears

It was already the end of the week, but today would still be a crazy day, at least through the evening. After getting through some grading, giving out tests and a short activity, I darted out to the town center to catch some performances. I helped in the coordination of the grand re-opening of TapEx to their new location just across the walkway. The space is much larger and it was nice to be able to have two former students (one an alum and one a senior) perform. They both were different, but they both entertained and it was a joy to watch them perform. Watching how taken away these two were when they performed showed the passion that they perform with and it's one of the reasons why they are such great singers. I am always so proud to see students perform, especially when it's outside of the school setting and this was no different. I left with a step in my stride as I rushed through the mall to finish up some Christmas shopping before heading back to the town center for a little staff celebration at TapEx. While I called it an early night as fatigued started to hit me and I wanted to be prepared for tomorrow, it was quite the enjoyable one and one I will remember for a long time coming, as this was one of those cool moments that stick with you. I hope the road ahead is bright for these two, but regardless of where they end up, they both have provided me with music to my ears that will help many any day a great one. 

~:[CH5 - Day 349]:~ Reflecting in the Rain

~:[CH5 - Day 349]:~ Reflecting in the Rain

It was the post-banquet high. The feeling of being done and the weight being lifted off your shoulders is quite the incredible feeling and while you know that a crash is inevitable, I was enjoying the moment while I could. After surviving the day full of errands, a reward pizza party and a successful dance practice with my PE class, I completed some work before heading to Disneyland. I was a little sad as the rain came pouring down, however, in the end, it was the best thing that could have happened. Droves of people left the park and the park slowly became a very tranquil place, something not often associated with Disneyland, especially during holiday time. As the empty park meant short lines and enough rides in a few hours that often takes a f ew days, it was easy to cruise through the park and enjoy all the holiday decorations throughout the park. It was even more incredible to see the reflections that shimmered on the ground because of the rain that fell overhead. Simply incredible! Words could not describe my enjoyment of the day and in the end, I sat with a friend drinking tea and just watching the rain fall and the people walk by. It almost seemed like slow motion, but despite the rain, I couldn't have asked for a better night. I even got to run into the birthday girl, Jamie! Happy Birthday! As the rain began to come down harder, it was nice to have a little bit of time to reflect before I headed to bed and much like the glimmer of the lights on the wet surface of the ground throughout Disneyland, I couldn't help but think, today was truly amazing. As I looked in the mirror when I got home, the glimmer from the ground, was the same glimmer I saw in my eye, which told me that there aren't many days that are as great as this and for that I am thankful, as despite the rain with the fun night after weeks of stress, deadlines, and fatigue, I truly found the happiest place on earth. 

~:[CH5 - Day 348]:~ Another Chapter to Close

~:[CH5 - Day 348]:~ Another Chapter to Close

It was a day full of preparation for the banquet and for some reason, it wasn't as hectic as normal. I had time to grab some last minute items for school before setting up and while I worked for 22 hours including the banquet today, it ended up being all worth it. As I stood at the podium at the end of the night, I thought, this couldn't have ended in a better way. While the video had a few missing parts due to missing footage, it went smoothly and was the first video I ever made that was edited on three continents. You read that right. I had most of the awards done early and in the end, it all worked out. As the seniors closed the night, I was deeply touched by their messages and it reminded me why we all do what we do. The value of the experience that athletes have is priceless and sometimes life-changing and for that, a 22-hour day is worth it. This senior group had been together for 3-4 years, as each senior started no later than sophomore year, which is a rare occurrence and it definitely made it tough to have this group leave. As while it's another chapter that will close, it doesn't mean that the characters of this chapter will be forgotten and boy were these seniors characters. To the alumni, parents and supporters, we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for all of your time, energy, care and concern, your generosity that allows all athletes to compete and your compassion that allows all athletes feel welcomed. To the coaches, thanks for working for pennies an hour and sometimes paying to coach in the end. Your valuable leadership helps shape all of these athletes and to my two coaches who will be leaving this year, I will definitely miss you both. To the underclassmen, I hope you heard the seniors message of not taking these days for granted as before you know it, your time will come to say goodbye. Don't allow obstacles, challenges and small issues ruin the experience and see the bigger picture that in the end, these issues don't matter as much as the continuing to build the bonds you have forged with your ohana. Things will never be perfect, but it is up to you to ensure that in the end, you value each other more than being right or more than getting your way. Think of those around you before yourself and do more and think more about others than you do for yourself as when you do that, the rewards are far greater than when you put yourself first. To the seniors, thanks for the battle. You made it and it definitely wasn't easy, but I hope you see that it was worth it. I hope that the sweat and tears, the blood and setbacks, helped the smiles, the laughter, the cheering and all of those successful moments even sweater. It seems just like yesterday that you first joined us, but time flies and the chapters are over before you know it; however, don't be sad because this chapter is over, but smile because you've left pages of memories that others will read, legacies that others will remember, and laid footprints for those after you to follow. We've all fallen at some point, but we learned, we grew and in the end, we climbed to the highest peak, higher than any team has before, but more importantly, we did it together and that is the real storybook ending. 

~:[CH5 - Day 347]:~ PHOod for the Soul

~:[CH5 - Day 347]:~ PHOod for the Soul

I've been waiting this day for awhile. As I sat down with an alumni for a brunch bowl of pho, I enjoyed the little bit of leisure time in what would be an exhausting day. However, for that moment, I soaked in the environment in a place that is so comfortable and familiar and keeps me at ease. As I rushed back to my hectic day, I lectured, did some paperwork, moved supplies, mailed out items and picked things up in a matter of hours. I stopped off to watch the Middle School XC Championships, stopped off at TapEx to pick some stuff up before meeting up with everyone to watch Allegiance. While the bowl of pho is and always be a moment I can sit back, relax and enjoy, it was not the moment I was waiting for. As the day quickly turned to night as the number of hours in the day grew shorter, I arrived at the block to catch Allegiance. It was eleven months ago when I was introduced to this musical and it has quickly become my favorite. Within a few weeks, I caught the show again, sadly before it closed on Broadway. I could not comprehend how a show this fabulous with great reviews could close, but it did and left me with a void. I had something great to incorporate into my internment lesson, but sadly, I could not say, go watch this. Today, I could. Across the country, a recorded version of this musical was provided to the population to experience this powerful message. It was even better than I could have expected. I think one of the most impressive things about this musical is that the cast is so engaged and invested in the story. When someone believes so deeply in the performance that they are in, it makes the performance so much better and this for sure, fit the bill. From the reminder of how racism can change lives forever, the impact that life decisions has, and simply in the fragility of life and death, Allegiance hits every emotion you could image so quickly. It helps that I have a cultural connection to the story, but this story is not simply for people of Japanese decent, as it's a message that we all need to hear. As I think back to the moment this morning when I was sitting with my bowl of pho, I couldn't help to think that today was filled with food for the soul, from that very bowl to the ability to have one more opportunity to experience something so wonderful and amazing that is known as Allegiance. Thank you to all those involved in bringing this production to the masses, as it truly has been a magical ride each time I've seen it and just the right food I needed for my soul.

Thank you for this magical experience Janelle Dote​ Lea Salonga​ George Takei​ Jay Kuo​ Stafford Arima​ Lynne Shankel​ Telly Leung​ Katie Rose Clark Darren Lee Scott Wise​ Scott Watanabe​ Elena Wang​ Sam Tatsuo Tanabe​ Momoko Sugai​ Shea Renne​ Rumi Oyama​ Manna Nichols​ Michael K. Lee​ Owen Johnston II​ Dan Horn​ Marcus Choi​ Belinda Allyn​ Aaron Albano​ Greg Watanabe​ Chris Nomura​. I saw a theater full of people sit all the way to the end in amazement of so many experiences and stories wrapped up in this one story, a story which many never told and many others never heard, well, that is until today.

~:[CH5 - Day 346]:~ A Land That is Truly Priceless

~:[CH5 - Day 346]:~ A Land That is Truly Priceless

Among the many nickles I will receive for my thoughts, one of the thoughts I had was about how priceless this land of Iceland truly was. From the amazing people to the geographical wonders that it holds, Iceland kept me off guard as around every corner, there was a new WoW and a new surprise. Going in with expectations of seeing the aurora borealis and catching Mr. Mime, while there was some disappointment in the cloudiness of the nights, these two things paled in comparison to all the others wonders I discovered along the way. The waterfalls were gorgeous, being on a glacier despite the wind and the rain was amazing, almost being swept away on the black sand beaches in Vic was memorable, and the Golden Circle was all it was worked up to be, as it was truly golden. I took this trip because I got a great deal, what I didn't realize is that great deal turned into something priceless. In my mind, I will never forget the amazing sights I never expected to see. While freezing, to watch a glacier float by in a lagoon and see the beautiful diamond-like shapes they make on a neighboring beach was something that was worth the diamonds they resemble. I also met a number of amazing people who I enjoyed talking to and getting know from my tour guides to the handful of people on my tour and finishing off with my neighbor in the plane who made the ten hours of flying time seem to pass so quickly. Sometimes your face shows a smile you cannot wipe off, yet others, your heart and your soul do the same. Yes, things could have been better. I could have had more room on the plane, better weather and my first driver could have dropped me off at the right hotel, however, in the end, the adventure showed me more than what I expected and that is exactly what you hope for in life. Surely, the dramatic landscapes and natural beauty of Iceland made this trip extra special, but what I learned along the way is something greater than anything I could even buy or see. It doesn't matter where you are or far how far you traveled, if you have not appreciated every moment that you are given whether abroad or at home. With a large amount of work on my plate, my focus will be on getting things done, but immediately after that, I will do what I can to extract the true message behind this adventure, that while you cannot control some factors around you like the weather, money, and more, you can control your perspective and ultimately how to enjoy every breath you have on this beautiful earth, whether your adventure is in Iceland or in the comforts of your own home. 

~:[CH5 - Day 345]:~ When We Least Expect It

 ~:[CH5 - Day 345]:~ When We Least Expect It

Sometimes the greatest things happen when you least expect it. While I enjoyed the tour, most of the people on the tour spoke another language which made things a bit awkward when it came down to meal time. However, suddenly, things changed so quickly. It was amazing to get to know others on the tour more and by the time I left, I was sad to say goodbye to everyone. We woke up early in the morning and started our trek before any light showed. It was pretty dark as I used my headlamp to get to our destination. The results of the hike was purely amazing. As we strolled up the glacier, we ended up at this ice tunnel which was simply spectacular. Things got a little scary when a piece of the glacier fell off into the water below, but no where near us. I guess it's not the best of ideas to scale a glacier when it just rains. Regardless, we made it through and back just as it began to rain down on us. It rained as we got to the next waterfall and continued to rain through most of the tour. We made an unplanned stop to meet the Icelandic horses on the side of the road before seeing the spectacular Golden Waterfalls and the geyser. As the day progressed, I became more and more sad as my time with this group was slowly coming to an end. The darkness had already set in as we headed to our final stop. In a single moment, I was both on the Eurasian and American plates, spanning two continents with one stride. It was almost pitch dark, but I didn't care. A few of our took on an extra hike into the darkness to see our last sight, a waterfall tucked away from the main walkway. It was a great way to end the trip. I chatted on the way back to the bus as I realized how much of a 180 had happened since the beginning of this venture. As we drove through the darkness, I couldn't help think, I'm actually going to miss this and why did this connection happen on the last day. Of course, I could ask myself, what if it didn't happen at all. In that thought, I paused and soaked in my last few moments. I was the first off the bus and said my farewell before parting ways. I may never see the likes of these people again, but I will have forever shared with them memories that will last a lifetime and that we will never forget. Maybe our conversations will continue deep into our lifetimes, but if not, at least we all know, we had these three days that will always be apart of us. They say we really never know why people enter our lives and the same goes with experiences. Why did these moments happen and what will it help me with down the line? I guess it's time to stop wondering all these things and just be glad that all these wonderful moments happened and I met a wonderful group of people that I will cherish for the rest of my life, which all happened when I least expected it.

~:[CH5 - Day 344]:~ On the Hunt

~:[CH5 - Day 344]:~ On the Hunt

It was a struggle today. Before I left, I broke my phone so I got a temporary (horrible) phone and my replacement arrived the day I left. Then today, my MARK stopped working properly just as I headed up to the ice caves and before tonight's aurora. I tried using my backup camera in the ice cave to no avail, as I kept getting lens error. What was happening? My GoPro was in the bus. So, what a great day! However, I figured things out a bit. I got a few pictures of out MARK with a sequences of buttons that almost seems like a gaming code, I can't change the settings or review the photos, which made hunting a challenge. Despite all of these missteps, today was a glorious day. Sure I was stressed about it all and will be until I get back, but I saw the Glacier Lagoon again as it was moving, I found "diamonds" at Diamond Beach as you can see the crystal clear chunks of the glacier on a black sand beach. I walked on a glacier and ended up in an ice cave and while my camera may not have captured it all, my mind did and that's what's important. When I got to the new hotel, I was able to sneak out and catch the aurora at its peak for the night (at least until this moment) and before all the clouds rolled in. While it wasn't a clear night, there are those who came for a week or more and didn't see the aurora. For those planning on coming to Iceland, don't just make it about the hunt to find the aurora. It's no guarantee. Actually, out of all the times I've been hunting, I've seen it half the times I've looked. So while it may not have been as glorious as I hoped, I still treasure this moment of capturing the aurora. I sat here in this quiet part of town, void of most light pollution and enjoyed looking up into the sky, searching for something special. I saw the aurora and even if I didn't, the shooting stars, the stars and all the amazing things that surrounded me in this utterly tranquil moment was the greatest catch I had all trip. I'm going to miss Iceland, not for the rain and wind that pelted me with stones, but because of the wonderful people and the beauty of nature that surrounds you around every corner. Iceland is much more than the aurora, I just hope that when you visit, you can see exactly what I am talking about, aurora or not.

~:[CH5 - Day 343]:~ As I Sit, Waiting and Hoping

~:[CH5 - Day 343]:~ As I Sit, Waiting and Hoping

There was bad news after bad news today. I rushed out of my room because the tour pick up came earlier than the early pick up. It wasn't all bad, as I was already ready and jumped in the van. Luckily, I was the first and picked my seat. We ventured around and picked up person after person. Our guide said, the weather wasn't good enough to go on the glacier walk so that was delayed. Then, it was the waterfall stops was delayed because of the weather (to ensure we got to our final stop). We ended up stopping at the volcano Eyjafjallajökull as the air cleared just in time. The winds blew at a mild 30mph or so as we tried to stay upright as we took photos of this farm that was once covered in ash from the volcano. It was gorgeous. As we continued on, we visited the Black Sand Beach again, this time it wasn't raining, but the winds reached upwards of 50mph (or so they say). I was pushed forward and for the first time in my life, felt as if I could actually be swept up off my feet. The black sands pelted my jacket, the waves crashed ashore, yet also retreated at the same time because of the wind. It was a moment I had to capture on video. As terrible as it felt, I figured out a system and captured these moments as best as I could, taking a pile full of sand home with me. As we ventured onward, the winds continued to be ridiculous. The van was swaying and I even saw cars pulling over hoping that things would get better. The ones somewhat blue sky turned to black as the storm raged on. It was just about sunset (about 4pm), when we arrived at Glacier Lagoon. The weather delayed us, so we missed taking photos of the lagoon in the day. I did my best to capture the moment. We arrived at the hotel and I was happy to eat the lobster trio with lobster tails, lobster bisque and a lobster spring roll. It was delicious and nice to relax indoors as the winds raged outdoors. As with most of the group, we hoped that we could see the Northern Lights tonight. The rating reached up to a 5.67, but as I looked overhead, the sky was covered with clouds. As I stayed productive and finished up 1/3 of the cross country video, I kept looking outside, just hoping and waiting for the lights to appear. I guess it's much like in life. You know that something special awaits you out there, you'll just sit there wondering if the timing and everything will all fall into place. In a string of bad news, there is still a glimmer of hope that before I rest this evening, I will get to see how glorious these lights can be. I've already been blessed to see them in Alaska, but to see them nearly three times greater would be spectacular. Today turned out to still be an exceptional day despite all the disappointments, but regardless, I sit here, waiting and hoping that the moment I've been waiting for will arrive.