Thirteen Days

No, I'm not talking about the movie :P ... it's been the last thirteen days of BBQ, editing, test&review writing, grading, a track meet, CHS Idol, music video shooting/making, graduation&practice, events, practices, meetings, a car wash, and a golf tournament.

I never thought I would be so full of commitments, deadlines, up and downs, broken hearts&promises and revived friendships, and now, just a sigh of relief to make it to this point. Right now I feel like a fondu, mixed with so many different things that I don't know what to call myself right now ...

I think our car wash today was the perfect example of what my life has been over the past thirteen days, a steady flow throughout the day with pockets of stressful times where you want to pull you hair out with problems both big and small, old and new that need to be dealt with and send on their way, the one's you care about will be dealt with car and precision, while the others, you may pay less attention to ...

I guess a reanalysis of life, some soul searching, and a new beginning may be in order ... I think it may be time to readjust the course that I am moving on to eventually find that path best suited for me. I have a better idea of what I want and now I just hope that I can go out and get what I really want in life.

All this time you wonder what the meaning of everything that comes you way is and I think maybe I need to take a closer look and make sure I am not missing the signs before they come my way, because the last sign I missed just hit me like a bus.

In any case, I have been so proud to see my '09ers graduate and find their ways to the finish line and hopefully, they will find the path best suited for them. To all of you, similar to my own struggles, you will eventually find the right path to follow if you keep pushing and keep persevering.

Through God, all things are possible. (Rephrasing Luke 1:37)

I don't quote scripture in my blog too much because I know everyone does not follow the same, however, I feel that you must at least begin to believe that ALL things are possible, if you just put your mind to it and use the skills given to you.

On a last note, during my last haircut, my hair was shorter than normal which means more gel, so my hair was styled differently and now, I turned out with a new temporary hair style until I decide if I like it or not. Maybe it was in response to getting hit by that bus, but I kind of enjoyed having a different hairstyle. We'll just have to wait and see ...

The BBQ

The BBQ turned out pretty well today.

After spending all day preparing, we had tons of food on the table including an assortment of sashimi (including my favorite, tako-octopus), teriyaki steak and chicken, steak, chile, lime and sesame ginger bacon-wrapped shrimp, salt and pepper shrip, chinese chicken salad, a wide-array of veggies and fruits (grapes, mangos, pineapples, cantalope, strawberries, peppers, carrots, snap peas, tomatoes, etc.), various rolls of sushi, chow mein, fried chicken wings, lumpias, empenadas, the special jello and of course mochi :) ... I may have missed something but it was a load of food.

Outside we had placed a lot of our table and entertainment praying for no rain, which never occurred. It was cold and dark outside, however, we still found a way to enjoy ourselves. We had karaoke on one TV, Zoolander and Mall Cop on the projector, and Wii on a monitor in our backyard.

Although it was a bit awkward at first because all of my friends are from different groups, it ended up being okay and so I was glad that I had this party.


In any case, I forgot to put no gifts on the invitation (I realized some of the invitations didn't reach people, sorry). It ended up though that I received a very cool gifts made by the talents of one my wonderful friends. Simply amazing, isn't it?

Escudo do Oro

The Escudo do Oro award is the most pretigious award given at our school.
The award recognizes the seniors that best exemplify an ideal CHS student including ...

1. Citizenship/Character
2. Academic Achievement
3. School & Community Involvement
4. Leadership
There may be other areas that I may have overlooked, however, it's an individual who has displayed success and excelled in a number of areas and have really shown themselves to be the most dedicated and influential individuals on campus. These individuals are normally the best of the best in their areas, however, do not just limit themselves to one specific area of work.

This year, they recognized five, Melody Chern, Kristine Kim, Lorie Kim, Ray Roazal and Kristabelle Tamula. I was glad to have worked with each one of them in some capacity and it was such an excellent group of individuals to represent our school!

Since That Day ...

somewhere along this curving path
you captured my heart from me
and since that very moment
the same, I never would be

since that day the only color
is in the twinkle of your eye
as all of nature is second best
from the oceans and up to the sky

the scents of the flowers is no more
the only sweet scent when you're around
as once i was exiled to oblivion
now, it is paradise i have found

the oceans soothing waves
are no match for the calmness you bring
and that naturally beauty you possess
gives no chance to the beauty of spring

so alas you continue on your road
with my heart right in your hand
to keep our hearts near one another
i willing to do all that i can

and though the time and place is in the air
our time will arrive one day
i'll be waiting for that moment and opportunity
to react without any delay

so alas the naturally beauty surrounds
although yours has put the rest to shame
as since the day i met the incredible you
my life, surely, would never be the same

jason
6/3/09, 12:31am

Cleaning the Past

Cleaning brings back so many memories as you come across memorabilia, pictures, and more that really bring you back in time. It was great to reminisce about the past and really makes you think about how very little has changed and how much has changed over the course of the last ten, fifteen and twenty years.

It can be sad to think about how much time has passed, however, I guess I also get to think about how much I have done within the time that I have had. I guess you don't really think about enjoying life as much as you can until it's too late.

Well I guess if I want to live my life with no regrets, I have to step out on a limb and make sure that I try my best to let nothing pass me by. Sometimes I can be a pushover, slacker or just timid, allowing things and opportunities pass me by and as my mid-year resolution, I'll do my best to make sure that is not the case.

As good as things are, I know great, grand and gradiose await me. Have you let things better than just mediocre pass you by? Then join me on my quest to really explore what more lies out there, somewhere out there ...

So as I clean out the old and bring in the new, I guess it's a good time to throw out the old me, or at least the parts of me I don't like as much, and bring in a new, repolished me, in hopes that it will help me find what is grandiose!

somewhere, out there
beneath the clear moonlight
lies an opportunity
that is for me, just right

somewhere, out there
i know i'll find what's true
someone's looking for me
and that someone could be you

somewhere, out there
i'll let no chance pass me by
because I want to live with no regrets
until the day I die ...

jason
5/31/09, 11:44pm

A Week to Remember ...

It's been quite the eventful week after a quite eventful weekend.

I was able to roll into Tuesday after Monday's holiday and successfully maneuver through the day, practice, and the Mayoral Proclamation and BJs after dinner to finally close out the National's process.
I am so blessed to have been able to work with this group of junior MUNers. I might as well mention every junior MUN group I have had. They have done such a great job and this night reminded me of just how awesome of a group these MUNers are. They put so much time and effort into this program and I am glad to see that they continue to find success, even amongst the greatest amount of obstacles.

On Wednesday, the day was FULL of great greetings, meetings and events. I had such a great and full birthday and I do not remember a time where I was wished a happy birthday SO many times! I was able to escape to Disneyland for a few hours, mainly to get my $69 dollars, however, while at Disneyland, I stopped at California Adventure and rode on Tower of Terror, California Screaming and made a stop at the La Brea Bakery and Jamba Juice :) ... I returned to Cerritos to attend the Premios de Oro ceremony, which I just love since I get to honor students who really go above and beyond in the classroom. It was the hardest decision I made for the medallion, as I had all very qualified students from those with over 100% to those who have made their way from low grades to the top in the class.
Afterwards, we headed to TGI Fridays to just relax and enjoy the night and then I got to talk to the most incredible person I know for awhile, just about random things, yet it made me realize how great the return will be.
In any case, Thursday, allowed me to catch my breathe a bit, as it was the easiest day of the week and now I prepare to head to our prom site for next year to see the site "in action." Today's showcase assembly was so amazing and goes to show how amazing the students at our school are! The picture is of my freshman MUN student Paul Lee.

It has been a glorious week and I am glad that it has been as great as it has been.

Thanks to all of those who provided your birthday wishes, as it made this birthday one for the record books!!

A Wonderful Weekend

This weekend has been full of a lot of spring cleaning, keeping an eye on the Los Angeles Marathon, BBQing and of course, Makoa's 2nd Birthday Party!

I got Makoa a Disney digital camera! When I saw it, I had to get it for him since he always wants to take pictures with my digital SLR.

Anyways, at the birthday, there was quite the large gathering! I was able to snap some 800 pictures on the day and posted them in my gallery: http://wutanabe5.smugmug.com/gallery/8319251_VJYCs#544997227_CuiWB ...

There were so many children running around, which made it quite fun! It was themed after Nemo so they had a lot of games about fish including a scavenger hunt and also had a Nemo jumper!

I was able to snap this precious picture of Makoa getting a kiss blown to him! What a grown man already :) It looks like he is waiting to get his kiss on his cheek :)

Very, very precious :)

This weekend I also had some time to catch up with some of my wonderful friends Shannon and Jenn and also BBQ with my wonderful family, which makes for a wonderful weekend :)

JD & Family at our outdoor Bar :)

Dinner with the Kungs :)

Pressure Relief ~ A Blessing

When I came back last night, I knew things would be bad the next day, as my head was pounding and I could barely sit up. The last time I felt this bad, I ended up in the hospital for seven days with pnemonia.

As I deliberated whether or not to go to school, I finally figured it would be easier for me to go to school rather than try and get things together for a sub.

After sitting in my room miserable this morning, I figured I would not be working tomorrow, however, after two very well-behaved classes and a hoard of medicine, my headache went away and I realized, my prayers must have been answered, because despite my normal cold, my intense headache had disappated and I felt refreshed.

In any case, now I sit hoping that tomorrow when I wake up, I feel much better.

We'll have to just see about that.

I guess it also helped that the Nuggets won tonight :) Just FYI, it was not the referees that lost the game for the Lakers this evening :)

Lucky

Lucky (Edits by Jason Watanabe)
Original by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iraoHE6JlY

Walk right with me
I will guide you
Across the country
Across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Sometimes I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper straight to me
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky that I have you as my friend
Lucky to have connected with you again
Lucky that you're coming home again
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how I missed you
And how it hurt me so
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had just one more day
I'll be here for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky that I have you as my friend
Lucky to have connected with you again
Lucky that you're coming home again
Lucky we're alike in many ways
Lucky to have walked straight in your way
Lucky to talk to you each day

And so I'm walking through the street
To the corner where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll pick a flower for your hair
A simple pleasure, we can share
Move so pretty, you set me free
As the world keeps spinning round
You make me feel so whole right now

I'm lucky that I have you as my friend
Lucky to have connected with you again
Lucky that you're coming home again
Lucky we're alike in many ways
Lucky to have walked straight in your way
Lucky to talk to you each day

Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

Jason
5/19/09, 7:01am

Seniors ...

Today was MUN Senior picture day! Of course, someone as usual had to try to be fun so I had to photoshop at least one face, but I couldn't find a good one for the second person, so they get their eyes closed. Why do people feel the need to ruin a picture that will be one of their memories for a lifetime? In any case, layered, photoshopped and more.

On my way back to my room, I ran into Ricardo, our wonderful custodian! He said he doesn't smile in pictures, but I got him to smile! :D Looks very natural too!