~:[CH13 - Day 334]:~ Value

 
~:[CH13 - Day 334]:~ Value

My friend suggested I check out a ramen place since they had their seasonal jjigae miso ramen. It was worth it. I got a flavor of Korea mixed in with ramen. The full set was quite inexpensive, yet there wasn't much of a line aside from locals while ramen shops nearby had lines out the door full of tourists. Later that day, I got another deal as my friend and I hit up an izakaya after work and enjoyed a fairly inexpensive meal including some amazing asaparagus. For each of us, we value different things. Do we want to hit up that popular spot, find a seasonal favorite, or a cheap or fancy meal? No matter our choice, I hope we find value in our decisions. The same goes for us. We need to find a place where we are the most valued. Someone out there sees our value and I hope we all find that places that sees our greatest value, whether it's loved ones, your job, or anything you do in life. It's easy to settle for what we have, but remember to never allow your value to be diminished. 

~:[CH13 - Day 333]:~ Losing Time

 

~:[CH13 - Day 333]:~ Losing Time

As I travel, I've always been sad that I lose time as I travel across time zones. In the end, I get that time back, however, I've always seen it as a loss. Time is precious and losing that time is not something I want to do. However, as we decide how we want to spend our time, think of it as an investment. Are you spending your time wisely and using it on the things that matter most to you? If not, adjust and if so, keep at it. The rewards you seek are waiting behind all the hard work and time you put into the things you do. As I look at the time I lose with flights and time zones, I still see the opportunities that I am given are well worth the time. I haven't quite seen the fruits of my labor I am aiming for, however, I know that they are there waiting for me if I keep investing in what I hope to accomplish. Invest wisely.

~:[CH13 - Day 332]:~ An Atypical Thanksgiving

 
~:[CH13 - Day 332]:~ An Atypical Thanksgiving

I spent all day working. The clock was ticking as deadlines loomed and I had to head to the airport after dinner. I didn't do everything I needed to do, but still yet, I was able to get a good amount lf work done. With a lot of things going on, our family didn't have a gathering, but during my breaks, I got to enjoy a little time watching football with my family and eating a non-traditional meal at home. When the time came, I grabbed my stuff and headed to the airport with my plans all prepped for my meeting. I arrived early just in case parking was an issue, but my reservation was good and I arrived in the lounge early. In front of me, a beautiful Thanksgiving spread awaited as I worked a bit more before my flight and sent out my final confirmations. Although today wasn't typical, I am glad to have had some time to spend with my family. I am grateful for my family and friends, for all the wonderful opportunities I've been given, and simply the ability to live. I may not be happy the way things in life work out, but that doesn't mean I am not grateful for the opportunity to live the life that I do. I am hoping that you all had a wonderful and Blessed holiday and a wonderful year. I hope that the remainder of 2024 and beyond is full of great memories and blessings. I am thankful for you all. Oh yeah, "Go Pack Go!"

~:[CH13 - Day 331]:~ Playtime is Over

 
~:[CH13 - Day 331]:~ Playtime is Over

My dad couldn't go to our annual trip and so I was going to go solo and get some work done while I was there. Luckily, I had some visitors stop by and made it a bit more interesting. Although I broke even through the week, I did a lot of fun things outside the casino. From crane games to the boneyard, it was fun to venture to different places without breaking the bank. I decided to beat traffic and head back a little early and it worked out. The drive home was smoothe and I got right to work when arriving home, but still yet, I took a bit of time to play around once I wrapped up the work I needed to finish in Vegas. Even when there's a pile of work looking back at you, carve out a little bit of you time as it will help you as you get back to work. Playtime may be over, but at least I begin working with a boatload of memories from the week. Have a wonderful rest of the week.

~:[CH13 - Day 330]:~ Groin'n Pains

 

~:[CH13 - Day 330]:~ Groin'n Pains

Yesterday, I bowled pretty well. My last game was a 245. For those that don't know, I did at least three things when I first was able to walk comfortably - bowling, ice skating and skiing. I have pictures of me skiing between my dad's legs down the bunny slopes, my little self floating along the ice, and of course, pictures of me sleeping in the bowling alley on a Friday night at my dad's bowling league. Later I would pick up golf, basketball and a range of other activities, but those, as far as I can remember, were the three. Through the process of learning, there were growing pains, injuries and other mishaps. That is life. Some see that I jump onto the ice or bowl a 200 and wonder how I did it, but behind that performance is years of hard work. We don't always see what people have to go through to get where they are, but appreciate their process, as I'm sure their road to where they are at was an arduous one. It's not always just being born with a skill, rather, it takes time, like my skills in golf. My first round was the highest score I've ever heard someone get on a course, but within that same summer, I shaved off about 40% of that score. When times are tough, do what you can to grind through it as you'll build some grit in the process. Things won't come easy in life, so work at it and it will actually help you find success in other areas down the road. Today, was one of those tough days. I did something to my groin, which affected the end of my approach where I get my power. I adjusted, I learned and I still finished albeit, not with the highest scores. Life is full of growing pains, so prepare for them and don't let yourself quit when the going gets tough as if you can withstand it, you'll find that the other obstacles in life aren't as nad as you may have thought.

~:[CH13 - Day 329]:~ The Boneyard

 
~:[CH13 - Day 329]:~ The Boneyard

It's been awhile since I used my own bowling ball. I felt old and gray when I went to throw the ball and slipped. Is it time to be thrown in the boneyard? In all we do, there is a limit on how long we can go. While there may be people like my dad who keeps working wonders with what they can do, many of us will feel useless in od age as we become limited. As I walked through the boneyard of old Vegas signs, it made me think of people. Instead of saying we no longer serve a purpose, rather, we should find a way to repurpose ourselves. Transition from what we've done to what we are able to do and you'll find a way to make yourself the most useful version of yourself. You never belong in the boneyard, rather find a way to illuminate yourself even after you thought it would no longer be possible.

~:[CH13 - Day 328]:~ In a Corner

 
~:[CH13 - Day 328]:~ In a Corner

Sometimes, you get forgotten. After driving to Vegas and enjoying a delicious lunch, we rested and headed to dinner at one of our favorite spots, Lotus of Siam. Normally, aside from the wait, most things are good, but today was not. Our 7:30 reservation led to a seat 25 minutes later. We promptly ordered our appetizers, but after 25 minutes, nobody came back to take our order (although someone else delivered our appetizer). Maybe we had been forgotten back in the corner as the table near us started ordering about 20 minutes before us despite arriving later, however, we still ended up eating. I wasn't left with a good impression as I was fuming, still yet, I enjoyed my food and still went on with my day. In life, we have a choice to allow others to control our narrative or to take a moment when we're in the corner and still make the most of it. Forgetting how we were wronged once we voice our points allows us to move on and not let that moment hold us back. We may have wanted better service, more attention to detail with the food or simply someone to check in on us, but we can no longer do anything about it. Fight to correct what you can, but then remove yourself from that corner and move on. It's right that you should still be upset, but don't allow yourself to be trapped in the corner of life.

~:[CH13 - Day 327]:~ We (Don't) Have Liftoff

 
~:[CH13 - Day 327]:~ We (Don't) Have Liftoff

No practice, no conference, and no work. I didn't set an alarm, as I rested, yet still had a pile of work to do. I got some cleaning done, but mostly, I was prepping for banquet and the week ahead. In the middle of working, the niece and nephew stopped by. My body was sore from yesterday's game and I was fatigued. This little girls looks up to me and says, "let's fly.:" I shook my head and said, uncle is too old for this. I obliged. At times you'll hit your limit and it's good to gice yourself a break, however, at times, it's worth pushing just a little more to make something work. I did that today and it was well worth expending that bit of energy. I hope down the line, this will be a lasting impression for them, something small that they'll remember, but even if not, at least something I will. In life we wonder if something is "worth it" and for each of us, we have to determine if it's worth it or not, but just remember that a little extra effort may be just the thing that makes this simple moment memorable. 

~:[CH13 - Day 326]:~ Welcome Back

 

~:[CH13 - Day 326]:~ Welcome Back

With this being the last day efore fall break, you'd assume we'd be making a run for the exits. However, at Cerritos, we have a different tradition, we have our alumni/staff games. It's great to see the students in good spirits with the weight of work off their shoulders and the teachers, coaches and alumni huffing and puffing down the court, just trying to survive. While it may seem like just a game, the games create a bond between the athletes and their competitors. To the adults, they shine a new light on a connection outside the classroom and for the alumni, it creates a bond between the generations of past and the current team, making the program even stronger.  However, sometimes we never know just how important an evening like this can be whether it's reconnecting, accomplishing the unfathomable or simply enjoying another memory created at Cerritos High School. We'll never get to measure how important this game is, but when you look back at this moment, I know for memory, they're will be something important to take from this wonderful event.

~:[CH13 - Day 325]:~ A Grander Scale

 
~:[CH13 - Day 325]:~ A Grander Scale

I spent the past few days in Hollywood. There was a cool opportunity provided and we were able to get Tetzlaff to perform at the Dolby Theater. It was cool seeing them on stage in a much grander scale than they have ever imagined. They're one of the top bands around, however, even with all their awards and preparation, I knew this could be a challenge. It didn't seem like it was at all. They organized themselves, they had their leaders who took the reigns when needed, and they were able to execute when required to, even with last minute adjustments. Of course, their youth showed as their eyes lit up when they walked by one of their favorite groups, still yet, they kept their professionalism, smiled and did their thing. It was fun to see them return to what I imagined a middle schooler would be like after the performance, as the weight of it all disappeared. They laughed about their expressions in their performance and overall just reflected on it all before we packed up and headed out. When life throws us opportunities, sometimes it doesn't work out, but when it does, it can be something that is unmatched and will be a memory on a grander scale than you could ever have imagined.