It's not everyday that we get to spend quality time with our family or the ones we love...
Going away for college, especially going out of state, was probably the toughest decision I made. Your parents aren't going to be there for you to help, guide or yell at you to do things. You leave your childhood friends behind for a while, who have been with you all your life and been through thick and thin with them. But worst of all, you go away from the home made meals.
Being away from home taught me a lot; never take things for granted. I took being home for granted before I left for Mount Mercy that I taught everything was going to handed to me and was going to be a walk in the park when I arrived to campus. But going through a little adversity here and there, I learned to do what is right and cherish every moment or opportunity giving.
Also, coming home for the holidays makes it that much more special for you and your family when you get to spend time together because there is only a short amount of time until they have to be on their way.
I was browsing the internet today and came across the quote "Everyday is a blessing." It couldn't have been said any better.
I am blessed to have the family that cares so much about me, friends that make memories that last for a life time and teammates that have my back no matter what happens to me.
So take time and care for the ones you love, make memories that'll last for a life time and help each other out whenever trouble calls.
It's great to be back in Torrance, only if it's for a few days.
So for those of you who didn't know, I was stuck in Cedar Rapids for about five days. A blizzard hit late Wednesday that caused a cancellation on my flight back to California.
Just a brief summary of being stuck in Iowa
For a few days, I stayed at my friends place, which I couldn't take them enough for the hospitality they have offered. Then I went back to my apartment back on campus where I watched Netflix and hung out with a former teammate that was still in town and a handful of friends still on campus. But most of the time, I spent time alone in my apartment cleaning, listening to music, YouTubing, Netflixing and sleeping.
I told my mom yesterday (the 23rd) that I wasn't going to be able to make it back home because the traveling agent booked my flight for the 28th and it wasn't worth coming home for less than a day.
Little did she know, I already had a ticket back to Los Angeles at 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve. I really hoped that the holiday traveling didn't effect my flight back because I don't think I could have handled another day in a deserted campus.
I played it off like I didn't have a ticket back home (sorry for those of you who were worried, I didn't mean it I swear!) people because I didn't want my mom to find out some way some how because my intentions were after I found out my flight was going to be on another day, I was going to surprise her.
Surprising someone is probably one of the best feelings in the world, well in this case.
My sisters picked my up from the airport and took me to the mall first to do some shopping and went back home a couple of hours after. My plan was to show up and surprise her, but she wasn't home. So I had to think of a plan B quick.
I hid in my sister's room until my mom came home. When she came in the apartment, she sounded like she had a long day at work. Then, I walked out of the room and saw the face of joy and excitement.
I really never give my mom hugs but this was by far the biggest hug she gave me. She started to tear up and her excuse was she was laughing historically because "it's funny that you're here."
Yeah yeah mom whatever. I missed you too. haha.
I'm glad I made it back in time for my mother's birthday. I wouldn't miss her birthday for the world.
Being away from home makes it that much better to see the ones that matter the most to you. Take time to thank and tell the ones you love and the ones that love you back that you love them.
My mother and I on her birthday on Christmas 2010
My mother and I at her birthday dinner on Christmas Eve 2012 at Libra Brazilian Steakhouse in Culver City, California
We all have met a lot of people in our lives, whether if we talk to them everyday or if it was a one time interaction and never spoke to them again. It's sad to say but people come and they go.
Last year, my first year at Mount Mercy, I met people that changed the perspective on life. The words "privilege" and "humble" had a whole new meaning to me. And one person that changed that made me realize this was Colin Johnson.
I met Colin my first semester at Mount Mercy. I saw this kid from Bakersfield, California and I was thought to myself, "Who the hell is this five-foot nothing white boy?"
You can't judge a book by its cover. The first time I talked to him, I thought he was going to come to me with a "little-man syndrome" attitude and judge me because I was just another kid from California just trying to play baseball in Iowa. But as we conversed, he was the most humble person I met. Our first conversation was your typical icebreaker we all have when a transfer goes to a school out-of-state, "Where are you from? Why did you choose here? What's your major?"
When I arrived to Mount Mercy, Colin was a transfer from Bakersfield Community College and already had a year under his belt at Mount Mercy. Prior to his last year of eligibility of playing baseball, he was the back up infielder in his three years he had played in college baseball. His senior was his last chance to get a starting job and give it all he had.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. Though he spot started almost every other game, the spot was taken by a transfer who ended up getting a Conference Golden Glove award at the end of the year. I know Colin's feelings and emotions were shredded because he, literally, quoted in a couple of occasions that "I gave up my right nut from this team."
Although things didn't go his way: classes pushed him back from playing the first week of the season, didn't get a starting spot and didn't get to play in the "senior day" game, he always kept his composure and never let himself down.
Being a bench player for four year is rough, and I can attest to that. But being aside Colin everyday last year made me realize I can't be mad for being on the bench. What's being mad going to do? Complaining isn't going help to get playing time. It's not going to change anything. It's a privilege to be part of a team. Make the most of it and try to help out the team some way, some how.
When I see people that don't give 100 percent, pouts or complains about something everyday irritates me. Colin was the total opposite. Colin is the definition of humble. He would give up anything (well besides his family) to be part of a team and to play baseball. He always worked hard and was the student of the game. He never took things for granted.
When our season ended, finishing in third place in the conference tournament and was one game away from winning a conference title, for some of us, it was a special season we wouldn't forget. After being on a championship team, there is nothing better than building a brotherhood that would last a lifetime. Though we didn't win a conference championship or make it to the the NAIA tournament, a brotherhood was created and is something we would have forever.
Colin and I carving the Turkey at the Mount Mercy 2012Thanksgiving dinner. Ill miss you bro!
Being Colin's last semester here at Mount Mercy this Fall is a sad feeling for most us on the baseball team. He was the guy to go to for help and was willing to go out of his way to save them from whatever it was that person needed. He was the guy to make you laugh and to make fun of. He was one of those guys you go to ask advices for when you needed one. He was that friend when you needed a shoulder to cry on, he would be there for you.
As he packs is belongings to leave for California tomorrow afternoon, there is a present of sorrowfulness. I was thinking the other day that you never realize what you have until its gone. For those of us that have another semester or another year at Mount Mercy, it hasn't really hit us yet. Even though Colin is coming back for graduation in May, the presence of Colin Johnson would not be there. but when January comes, though Colin wouldn't be there, he would be there in spirit to most of us.
As I write this blog, it makes me think of when it is my time to graduate and move onto the real world. I wonder how I would be remembered as a person to some people.
I am a person that is horrible at keeping in touch with most people. As a resolution in life, I am going to keep in touch with all my friends as much as possible.
Colin will be truly missed, especially the ones whom have lived with him.
Lastly, I just wanted to thank Colin for everything he has done for me since I met him. He gave me "privilege" and "humble" a new meaning.
I'll miss you and love you bro!
-Jun
"Always keep the loved ones close to you, because you never know when they are going to be taken away"
I didn't know what to write about because all I could think about is going home for winter break and how stressed out I am from school work (like I wasn't since the beginning of the school year?). So sitting here in a house, I asked the cutest couple I know what I should write about. When I asked to give me a topic, Meghan, my roommate from last year's girlfriend, said dogs. So I'm going to write about how a dog I never wanted became my best friend.
It was back during the beginning of the year 2009, my freshmen year of college. I just transferred to Barstow Community College from El Camino College because I got cut from the team the first time. I had three roommates I never have met before: Danny Ray, Brendon and Daimen (Instead of Daimen, Rudy was living with us but only for about two or three weeks. May he rest in paradise). Just settling in the apartment, D-Ray, Daimen and I went to a near by Walmart to get stuff for the house. When we got out of my car, we spotted a RV parked in a parking lot with dogs in a circular cage. We went to go check it out.
As we approached the RV, we saw an old couple sitting in lawn chairs watching over four dogs. There was a family of four already looking at the dogs. We asked the old couple what the dogs were doing here. They answered back by saying that they were trying to get rid of the dogs and they were giving it away for free.
Free. Anything at the price if zero dollars and zero cents sounds pretty good, especially for a dog.
I remember Daimen was begging to D-Ray and I that he wanted one. D-Ray said he was for it but I really wasn't. I knew getting a dog meant spending more money we didn't have.
Though I didn't want a dog, we ended up getting one. A German Shepard, Boxer mix. We didn't know what to name it at first. But it had big paws and it reminded D-Ray of a bear so we named him Oso.
I have to admit, he was the cutest little dog I have ever owned.
The first night he came back to the apartment, I had Oso sleeping in my room right next to my head. He was the size of my two hands. I remember I couldn't sleep because his breath smelled pretty bad, like poop. But anyways, an hour of trying to fall sleep, Daimen comes into my room to ask where Oso was and took him away from me and took him to his room.
After that first night, for the next two or three weeks, they trapped him in D-Ray and Daimen's room. I didn't really see Oso for that period of time.
After those weeks of not seeing him. I finally saw him outside in our living room. I thought maybe he wanted out.
Maybe it was about a week or week and a half of Oso being out in the living room, I kind of figured they didn't really want Oso in their rooms anymore because he pee'd and pooped everywhere.
Oso being about three months old then, I felt bad for him so I let him sleep in my room from time to time. Not just that but I ended up buying everything for him as well; food, training mats, fence, toys, treats, etc.
Fast forwarding to the end of the semester my freshmen year. I was the one ended up taking him home. I already had two dogs, one cat and a chinchilla at my house. I knew my mother didn't want another pet but I wasn't going to let it go. It's just not fair for the poor guy.
One of my first pictures with Oso back in 2009
Oso at my baseball game at El Camino
Oso's first Christmas in 2009
About 3 years later, he lives at my house with my mother and two sister's. He is one of the best things that has happened to me. This dog means everything to me. Probably my best friend when I'm sitting at home. He's one of the most entertaining dog I have met. I had my first dog, Rocky put to sleep last September, but if I lose Oso, I don't know how I would take it.
A dog can make a difference a person's life. Oso sure did for me. I learned that you don't really need to buy things to be happy. All you need is love and affection from one another.
I know Oso can't speak or probably doesn't know what I'm saying 99.9% of the time, it doesn't matter because he knows I love him and he loves me back, I think.
About two more weeks left of school. That means its crunch time and time to intake those energy drinks, I mean, coffee for the all nighters coming my way.
When I go back to Torrance for winter break, I have nine days for relaxation and do whatever I want to do.
Wait, hold on. Did I say relaxation? Are you kidding me? Baseball season is 2 months away from yesterday. There are no days off (except for the days I was sick)!
But I mean I should make it somewhat exciting rather than working out and train all damn day. So I came up with a checklist (only three things) with what I want to do:
Visit Angel Knolls Park (where part of 500 Days of Summer was filmed)
Go skydiving
Hike up to the Hollywood sign, again
Let's hope I can accomplish these when I get back to the sunshine state.
I feel like this is the only way I can talk to people, for right now. I feel socially dead.
I'm feeling way better than the other days. I could get up and go run a marathon right now (probably not a good idea), but that's how better I'm feeling.
I woke up this morning feeling really bored. I feel like I am stuck in a hospital and can't leave my room. I know if I go hang out at one of my buddies place, my illness is going to come back. So since I'm trapped in my room, I decided make use of myself.
I got so bored, I cleaned my side of my room; got done in 10 minutes. What the hell! I thought cleaning my room was going to take at least an hour or so.
As I look around my clean room, I saw the ukulele my mom and sister had sent me through my care package the other week. I decided to pick it up and play it.
I am no pro at the ukulele. I bought it as my own birthday gift back in 2011 because I wanted have a new hobby, which I really never picked up on. So since I have all this time in the world until Monday comes along, I decided to learn the bad boy.
Playing the ukulele reminds me of the days when I use to be in band. Yes, I was a band nerd, geek, whatever you want to call it. I started off playing the violin back in elementary school, 2nd grade to be exact. I dont know why I chose to play an instrument but I enjoyed it.
When I switched school districts back in 1999, the elementary school I transferred to didn't have an orchestra so I had to choose to play another instrument. I went to the music shop with my dad one day and I told him I wanted to play the drums. I thought it would be pretty cool to play drums but my dad refuse to buy me a pair of drumsticks and a drumset so I settled with an alto saxophone.
For the next nine years until my senior year of high school, I continued to play the saxophone. I thought I was just mediocre but when I joined the high school band as a eighth grader, I was given one of the higher parts of the music to play over the sophomores and juniors that have been there for a couple of years.
I also remember going down to Candy Cane Lane in South Torrance around Christmas (for those of you who don't know what that is, it is a whole neighborhood with decked out with Christmas lights. Definitely should go check it out if you can.) with my buddy and his dad with our instruments and go caroling from corner to corner. Looking back at that experience, I really wish I could go back and do that kind of thing again.
I didn't just play the saxophone. I did end up playing drums, starting in the eighth grade as well. When I first joined the high school band, I was ahh'd by the drumline and wanted to join the next year. Luckly for me, for drumline, there is a fall season and a spring season, so I decided to join the drumline then and played the drums ever since.
Since joining band and drumline, it was the first time that something showed me the meaning of bonding, chemistry and family. At my high school, I never hung out with them at break or at lunch, but we were basically together for most of the time. We would have practice from 7 a.m. until our first class of the day started, practice from 3:30 p.m. until 9 or so. During the summer, we would spend about two to three weeks working on music, marching, working on our on field show, eat, play games, etc from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
I could never get away from those guys.
While playing baseball and being in the band, I really wanted to strictly focus on baseball and quit band but my mother wouldn't let me. I told her, "It's not like I'm ever going to be playing an instrument after high school anyways." I wonder if i chose the other way, if I would have been a really good musician.?
In retrospect, I'm glad my mother kept me in band because it's something I value now than I did before. Who knows, if my mother didn't talk me into staying in, what kind of mischief I would have gotten to.
Now, I am sitting here reminiscing old times that I cant go back to. But everything happens for a reason, maybe for the good or the bad.
Now some of you know something that you didn't know about me. I don't really talk about it because I don't know if I'll get made fun of or get the "One time in band camp..." line, which has happened quite often.
-Jun
My younger sister's last band show in 2010, which they got first place in their division at the California State Competition
For those of you who was wondering, "Where is Jun?" "What happened to him?" "Is he all right?" "Where did he go?" "I hope he's ok." (not like anyone cared at first (dont worry I was being sarcastic right there)) I have been sick since Monday night.
I think it all started on Sunday, when I went to go on a 4 mile run in the morning. Dont get me wrong, I felt great after the run because I stuffed myself during Thanksgiving. Then I went to my teammate and friends house to go pick up some pie they said they had for me to take home. I ended up hanging out there for about three hours or so and I started to feel a little fever coming out of no where. I thought maybe the sudden temperature change for being outside to being inside might had to do with something, or maybe it was the lack of sleep i got during break. Either way, I wasn't feeling well. I decided to go back to my apartment and take a nap before we had study tables as a team a couple of hour later. I wasn't feelling all that well but I was good enough to function and move around.
Monday came along and I was not feeling well at all. I went to all my classes, struggling of course, and also went to study tables and work out we had. After the day was over, I felt like a train ran over me. I had no energy left in my body. The last thing I did before I fell asleep was buying my mom flowers.
For the next three days, I laid on my bed with a migraine, sore throat and coughing my lungs out. My body was sore and couldn't get out of my bed at all. I thought I was literally dying.
I thought it was just a cold or something that would only last for about a day.
So yesterday, (Wednesday Nov 29) I finally decided to go to the doctors because the nurse at Mount Mercy is never there. This was the first time I been to a the doctors for any kind of check up since high school. I really never had insurance so I sucked it up every time and hoped the illness would go away.
As I sat in the waiting room for about 5 minutes waiting for the doctor to arrive, I was thinking how could I possibly have gotten this? and why me?
After I told the doctor what was wrong with me and he checked up on me, he told me that i had a really bad ear infection, a sinus infection and a bad strep throat.
I thought, "Great, I rather be dead at the moment."
The doctor prescribed me to an antibiotic and I was on my way to pick that up. Then off to bed again.
After I took my first antibiotic, azithromycin: five pills i have to take within five days and ill make me feel good as new (as the doctor said) , I was feeling much better than I was before already. Then for some reason, I got this sudden craving of a Big Mac and a 20 piece chicken nugget (Don't kill me Logan!) and so I asked my roommate if he can pick me up some at McDonalds, which he did. After he came back, I dont think I took one breath eating it (Note that I havent eaten anything for the past three days when I was dying in bed).
Then today, I woke up with some what of a drunk feeling. That feeling when you stand up, you stumble a little bit, i dont know why. Maybe because I have been overdosing on vitamin C. I slept in until about 3:00 p.m. Midwest time and took my second antibiotic and am feeling much better.
In the beginning of being sick, I lost my voice and didn't have energy to do anything, even walk. Now I can move around just fine and got my voice back, not to my professional shower singing level but close.
During this time, I really started to appreciate the use of YouTube. Best way to kill time.
Not just that, but also my friends that worried about me and sent me a text to see how I was doing.
Also today, two friends, Shelly and Mary, came to my apartment and surprised me a brought a little "get-well" snack for me.
I only talked to a few people from Monday night til today and I really appreciate the people who have done things for me from driving me to the doctors, sending me teddy bear and chocolate vibes, buying me food, bringing me surprise gifts to just a simple text saying "Are you alive?"
Doctor said I wouldn't be able to do any type of work outs or anything until Tuesday so hopefully I can fully be recovered by then.
When next week hits, its crunch time. 2 weeks left of school. Finals, which leads to more stress...hopefully I don't catch another one of these again.
-Jun
Special shout out to Jenny Valliere to taking me to the doctors! Couldn't thank her enough!
This years Thanksgiving was probably the best one I have been part of.
Most of my teammates, whom are mostly from California, went back to home to California or went to a relative's place in the Midwest. But for the eight or nine of us that stay here in Cedar Rapids made the best of it.
This was the first time there wasn't a woman in the house cooking for all of us. Usually, moms do most of the cooking while the guys watch football, but we don't have the luxury here. We all pitched in a cook a Thanksgiving feast. I didn't preparing for Thanksgiving can be so time consuming and costly on the wallet.
I am thankful for the guys that made this years Thanksgiving possible. They are my family away from home and I wouldn't give up anything for them.
...
I really don't know how to put it but I been hearing devastating news this month. Just last night, a person from my city I grew up at (Torrance, Cali) got hit by a drunk driver and died while he was in the emergency room. This past week, I had a friend who's relative passed away. And for me, this was the two year mark of when my roommate from Barstow College passed away.
It really got to me when I heard these that I should appreciate the people surround me the most because they are going to always be there for you, when they can be taken away from you in a blink of an eye.
I am thankful for all my new and old friends, teammates, coaches, and most of all family for what they have done for me all these years. Never take them for granted....
Whats up B! How's everything going man? I hope heaven is treating you like a God. Man, its been two years since you left all of us. I remember like it was yesterday when you, Shawn and D-Ray made me drink my first beer. I think you made me an alcoholic! Oh wait, I'm not an alcoholic, I'm in college.
Speaking of college, it's my last year as a college student, well unless I go to grad school, but last time to be care-free before I enter the real world. I think I told you this last year but when I moved out here last year, I didn't know what I was thinking B. Middle of no where and far away from home. Being away from home like this, isn't so bad after all man. I met some of the coolest and nicest people here. Not stuck up like all the LA people, you know what I'm saying? School's hard man. I had pulled an all nighter last night doing two papers! Worst decision of my life, but I had to get it done. But overall, I'm doing well in my classes.
I know your going to ask me about the girls here cause that's all you talked about with me besides baseball. The girls here are different in a good way here; really down to earth, easy to talk to, friendly, you name it. And no I dont have a girlfriend. I have the worst luck with girls. I think its the timing, or maybe I just bought the wrong set of brooms.
Baseball is going good too. I dont know if I'll be starting this year but I'm busting my ass like always. If I dont get some playing time, I'm gonna be mad as hell. Yea, I switched from second base to third. Its different but I think it suits me more. I just gotta react to the ball and give me no time to think about it. Oh, and I'm gonna try to hit a bomb for you this year B. I know where ever I go, you'll be watching anyways but be on the look out.
Still, to this day, I regret not calling you back the one day I was at Disneyland with my family. I never realized that was the last time I was going to hear your voice. I always wonder if something different would have happened if I did give you a call back. I, along with others that cared and loved you, wish that you were taken away so early in life. I gotta start appreciating a lot more because something can be taken away in a blink of an eye.
I know you already will but keep us safe and look after us B. Ill have a couple of cold one for you today. Love you and miss you man. See you later, and have a beer for me ready when I come visit.
Sincerely,
Endo."
Never take life for granted. Appreciate the things you have in life. Tell the people that care about you that you love them because you never know when something will be taken away from you.
As the fall semester is coming to its end in December, there are tons of school work to be done.
I'm going to be honest, I been a little lackadaisical this semester. Just the thought of being in college for five year when I could have graduated in four year makes me exhausted.
I had two assignments given to me at the beginning of the semester: a book report for two of my classes. One of them was a 250 page book I had to read and the other one is about 550 pages, which I'm only on page 68 as of right now.
The 250 page book, Twinkies, Deconstructed was about how Hostess, the company that makes those golden sponges, makes Twinkies. I had to write a book report on it and was due on Wednesday. It took me about a week and a half to read it (I'm a slow reader if you could tell). The book I am currently reading right now, Life and Death In Shanghai, is quite interesting so far. It is about a Chinese women's life during the Cultural Revolution. For that book I have a eight page book report due on Monday. Time is only moving forward and I should be reading the book but I decided to take a little break.
As I sit in a rectangular kitchen by myself in a suite at my school, it gives me a lot of down time to think about things, especially home.
Times like these, when school work starts to pile up and have all nighters to finish the work, I start thinking about home. Just the fact that if I was at home, there is that comfort you get from family; always being there for you when times are tough. I hear a lot of people here at school that are from the state of Iowa say, "I miss home," or "I feel homesick." Luckily for them, they only are couple of hours, even minutes away from home. Being about 1,800 miles, 30 hours away from home sucks. But I feel like sometimes, we have to go through this at some point in our lives. I guess its part of growing up.
But I am fortunate meet all the people, especially my teammates, I have this past year and a half to support and push me. Without them, I would probably be insane right now. It's early to say but I am thankful for those guys being there for me.
Well its already 12:27 a.m. here. I better start reading my life away
“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not
something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of
friendship, you really haven't learned anything.”-Muhammad Ali
For the past two weeks, my teammate Abe and I have been working out for six of the seven days out of the week. Two days which we work out on our own and four days which we do with the baseball team.
I remember one of the first couple of weeks of school, when I was hardly putting time to be the best I can with my body because I thought I can get away with the work I put on the baseball field, Abe was playing a video game without his shirt laying on a futon. I took a picture of him and posted it via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Couple minutes later, he found out and told me to take it off the social media because he said it was embarrassing because his stomach was sticking out and he was fat!
Now, since we aren't practicing on the field any more (it's too cold to practice outside in the Midwest during late Fall and Winter), and like a mentioned in a earlier post, I wanted to start to eat healthy and work out to be the fittest. Some things that motivated me again was 1) While taking an American Food class here at Mount Mercy, for an assignment, we had to record whatever we had ate in a span of five or so days. After writing the food I had consumed, I thought to myself, "Wow, I really need to watch what I eat." 2) Like one coach told me, "Somebody, somewhere is always getting better when you are just sitting down doing whatever." 3) I can't let the Nation (Functional Fitness on the Bluffs) 4) Abe and another teammate Martin (we call him Mini) said they wanted to get fit. And 5) I want to be the best I can be at all times.
What set me back from working out was I pulled my lower back muscle while doing a work out and to be honest, I was afraid to lift any weights again. But after a couple of months of sitting back and not training, like learning how to ride a bike, I got up and started to train again.
Before I started to train with Abe, I was thinking, "I don't want to just lift weights in front of a mirror. I want to do something different than anyone else does at school. So I informally introduced Abe to cross training.
Our first WOD consisted of:
AMRAP 8:
10 kettle bell swings
10 Sumo Dealift High Pulls
10 Burpees
Suicides
Our warm ups were a 16 minute run on a trend mill, 1000 meter row and decline crunches.
Abe finished with 3 rounds and I finished with 3 rounds and 6 SDHP.
Post WOD Abe
Today, our workout consisted of a 16/17 minutes run on a trend mill, a partner workout: each partner does 5 rounds of 200 meter rows and do as many decline crunches you can while your partner is row for 200 meters, and planks. Then a 5 minute bike cool down.
Results consisted of:
Abe / Jun (crunches by rounds):
18 / 20
15 / 21
12 / 22
13 / 20
14 / 20
I posted on Facebook one time that I wanted to make a difference in the world. Even though it is something microscopic to the world, I feel like training with Abe and pushing him to work hard for me is making a difference one way or another or making an impact on him.
One thing I noticed while working out is the struggle getting through these work outs. Its a grind getting through it. It helps having a coach, friend, teammate or someone that's going to push over that limit you personally have. But ultimately, it is you who has to push yourself; telling yourself "I can do it" instead of "I can't do it," "I quit," or "I give up." Another wise man told me once that whatever you do on the field, reflects what you do in the real world.
So there you go. You always want to work hard at what you are doing. See how far you can push your limits. Don't think about the results or outcome, work for what is now.
Shout out to FFOTB, the Nation!
Congratulations to Abraham Carrasco on being picked as a NAIA Preseason All-American.
Last night as I sat in the seat at Henneseey Recreation Center to watch the women's volleyball game, it started to hit me.
Yesterday was Senior Night at the volleyball game. Each and one of the seniors were honored before the game with their accomplishments announced as the they walked down the line of teammates. As I saw the seniors walk down the line and gave hugs to their teammates one by one, I started to realized that it was going to be my last season of playing baseball.
As I watch the ceremony, I started to get flashbacks of the people who helped me to get to where I am today. I never thought I would be playing college baseball out of high school, with the body size of 5'6'' and a thin 155-160 pounds and being so mediocre at baseball.
When I was younger, I was the kid who would come home from school and throw everything on the floor and turn on the Play Station and play it for numerous amount of hours. My mother will always told me as I played Final Fantasy IX, "Stop playing video games and go practice some baseball. Talent isn't just handed on a silver platter." I would feel guilty when she said it but my priorty at the time was to beat the game I was playing
...
High school baseball was fun. My senior year was the first time we made it to playoffs since 2004. What made it an awesome year was the teammates I had, which was mostly all my friends since middle school. There were ones who were so focused and was game ready all the time and there were some who kept everything loose. I thought I would never be part of something special again. Sometimes I wish they can come watch me play out here because they are support system that keeps me going.
Then college came. Long story short, the five years I been in college as a athlete, I have made some friends that I call family now that kept on pushing past my limit to become the best I can be and became the person I am today.
But the biggest supporter is my family, especially my mother. She is the one that always told me to work hard, scolded me when I didn't, yelled at me for being lazy. She is the one that always listened to my ranting about baseball when she didn't want to be any part of it. She is the one that supported me in anything I did...
When the senior volleyball players came down to the end of the line to hug their parents, I started to get this jittery feeling.
I don't think my mother came to any of my baseball games I played in since my Little League days. I recalled my mother and sisters coming to a game at El Camino College when we hosted Super Regionals, but I wasn't playing then because that was my redshirt year. Other than that she hasn't seem me play in a long time. Also probably because she worked siz of the seven days of the week, day and night.
This year marks my senior year as well as some other teammates on the team. I talked to my mother if she can make it out to Cedar Rapids for Senior Day. She told me she doesn't know if she can with work. But said will make it out for graduation. One thing I want in the world is for my mother to see me play again for one last time.
I know my mother isn't technology savvy at all and she probably wont read this (probably doesn't know I even have a blog, or even know what a blog is), but even though if its only her, I want to surprise her and fly her into Cedar Rapids to watch me play that day.
I am fortunate to have the friends and family that has been supporting me. I just wanted to thank and every one of you who has been there for me through the calm and the storm. Never taking things for granted.
Biggest supporter! (Taken on 12/25/2010, also Mom's birthday)
Lately, I have been eating out way too much and I feel like my body is taking its toll.
You would think after enrolling in a class this semester titled American Food, where the class teaches you about how the meat industries make process their foods, I would watch myself with what I eat.
Well, being a college student on a low budget, sometimes you have to buy the cheap stuff that might be less quality over a high priced food that's high quality.
I feel guilty because I had worked hard and ate right to get to where I am today, and also got coached nutritionally when I was attending Functional Fitness on the Bluffs. I guess there's that factor where if I'm living at home, I have mom's homemade cooking or I can make food with the ingredients that my mom bought.
But that should be no excuse. I should be going to the grocery store to by food to make instead of going out four of the seven days. Whenever I wake up after eating fast food, I feel like crap.
So starting Monday, I'm going to start a new project called "Project Transformation." This will consist of eating right and working out constantly.
So if you ever see me eating fast food or catch me at a fast food restaurant, guilt trip me, please. I don't want this project to only last for a month but I want it to be a lifestyle. I'm still in college and fast food might be the food I buy at times because its cheap, but I have to start somewhere to begin a healthier lifestyle
Seeing old friends that you haven't seen in a while is great.
This past weekend was Mount Mercy's homecoming/alumni weekend. It was great to see all the guys that played baseball at Mount Mercy in the past play again, even if it's one day out of the year.
I remember before the alumni weekend, some of us were s*** talking each other on who was going to win and all. But you know who won the game. Of course, we took the game. I think the score was something like 14-3.
But you know, playing against alumni this past weekend makes me realize that being able to play baseball is such a privilege and some of us take the game for granted.
I talked to some of the alums and they feel like they still have playing years left but there comes a time when we stop playing. Everytime I think about how close my days of baseball is getting closer, I always think about a quote fromt he movie Moneyball; "We're all told at some point in time that we can no longer play the children's game, we just don't... don't know when that's gonna be. Some of us are told at eighteen, some of us are told at forty, but we're all told. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, we want you badly and we think that this amount of money expresses that desire."
I know during the game, they were on cloud 9. Being able to be on the field again to play the game they had played since they were little kids. That feeling is something I can't describe in words; it's something you have to experience.
In all honesty, I think this is going to be my last year playing competitive baseball, besides maybe playing a Sunday beer league or something. But being with group of people that have your back and look after you is something I cherish and would never give up anything for that.
When ever I coach little kids, I always tell them, "being able to play baseball is a privilege. Dont take things for granted because you never know what's going to happen." With that being said, I'm going to work harder than I ever have to make this one unforgettable season.
I'm taking a wild guess here, but people that are from the Midwest might think a person from California has done everything exciting, at least in the time span of 22 years. At that age your still going to college or just graduated and found a job. Regardless of that, we have so many more attractions and things to do.
Although I got the title, Assistant Sport Editor for the Mount Mercy Times, I must confess that I have never been to any type of college or professional football and basketball game. Kind of embarrassed but I thought I bring that up.
Today was the closet I got a a football game, but instead I got to experience my first tailgate in Iowa City, Iowa. Home of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
It's funny to say because the people I went tailgating was with nine California guys and one Minnesotan.
The night before I only got an hour of sleep due to disturbance in my household in lower campus (for those of you who don't know what that is) it is a on campus apartment style room). I was one of the people driving and with the lack of sleep, I thought I was going to fall asleep begin the wheel, but thank goodness I didn't.
We left at 5:30 a.m. Midwestern time ad arrive at Iowa City around 6:15. We were one of the first parties to show up at the tailgating site. it was about in the mid 50's outside and it was cold enough to keep our beverages cold. But as soon as we got there, we got things started right away.
As the morning turned into day, we had already grilled a lot of meat and tossed a football around and played some beverage games while listening to a Snoop Dogg Pandora station through my car stereo.
We left around 11:45 a.m. And didn't go to the game, which was the Minnesota Golphers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes.
On the way back. The four people I drove fell asleep on me in the car and I was the only one awake thinking, "I better not fall asleep behind the wheel."
All in all, my first time tailgating was exciting, being able to hang out wih friends and get out and explore the state of Iowa a little more. Now I'm hoping I can go to a Oregon and tailgate there an actually go to a game (Goooooooo Ducks!)
Thanks to everyone that went and made my first experience of tailgating a one to remember.
We all get frustrated at times, whether it is from losing in a video game or if a player on your fantasy football team didn't perform good enough.
Recently, I been frustrated with the game of baseball.
The Sunday before school started back up, my buddy called me and asked me if I wanted to play in a baseball game (not to mention it was a championship game of a tournament). I haven't done anything baseball related for a month but I agreed to play.
I ended up going 2 for 3 with a RBI single and a walk-off homerun. That was probably the best game I have ever played. Having that game before school started back up, I gained a lot of confidence that it is going to be a good year.
When practiced started back up, I was really excited to get things going.
Then everything started to going down hill. Once I started to not so something right at practice, at first I let the thought of "don't mess up again" not get to me. But a couple of days ago, I just started to over think everything and I just felt really frustrated with myself.
As my frustration gets to me more and more each day at practice, at times I want to just quit all together. But I remember talking to my high school coach one day and he told me "Don't do it Junie...you'll regret it...notable a year from now, maybe not 5 years, but at some point you will."
When he told me that, I told myself that I didn't work hard and come this far to just quit.
So even though Ill probably get frustrated during practice, I'm going to take it one day at a time and not worry about the future. Like someone tod me before, "Tomorrow is a new day."
So as I start my fifth year of college, I don't really know how to feel about it being my last year in college (knock on wood)...
After ending my fourth year of college at Mount Mercy University, I couldn't have asked for a better time in my first time living out of state, and of all places...Iowa.
I'm not going to lie, at first, I thought I was going to hate going to school and living out here in Cedar Rapids. I mean, come on, its Iowa. It's about 2,000 miles away from Torrance. I can't just go home to visit my mom, my sisters, my dog or eat my mom's delicious home-cooked meals.
I remember that when I arrived here in Cedar Rapids, I met a couple of soon-to-be teammates at the time that were born and raised from Iowa, but I also met a bunch of people from California that were out here for baseball as well. At times, I felt home sick, but hanging out with them made it feel like I was at home away from home.
Things that happen in the school year of 2011-2012, I would never forget or change it for the world; I made some of people that I now call family, had a good baseball season though it didn't end how we liked it to and the memories every single day living in a dorm room that was literally like a 6 by 6 prison cell.
But now, going into week 4 of my "senior" year, I just want to graduate and get the hell of out college, but at the same time I want to be in college for a little bit longer. Talking to my teammates and also my friends from high school, I ask them about how life is like after graduating. Most of their responses are:
"The real world sucks. I come home and I shower, do laundry and do the dishes at night and I think to myself 'I have to do this all over again tomorrow' Its not like I can skip class or anything because I can get fired."
"I dont like it."
"It blows! I want to go back to college for one more year!"
But they also tell me that they don't miss the fact that they don't have to do homework every night or reading 100 per night.
I started to get mixed emotions about turning in my intent to graduate. But why should I worry about the future when it's not even here yet. I was always told to "Live in the moment."
So until the time comes, I'll try to make it a great college experience, even if I'm at a university as small as Mount Mercy. But I know that bittersweet feeling of graduating this year will still be in the back of my mind.
-Jun
"Cheers with a smile, love is whatchu get, 'cause if you're living for the now, there's nothin' to regret" -Mike Stud
"Family is not an important thing, its everything..."
My grandma is around 85 years-old, but to be honest, I don't even know my grandma well. I wish I got to hang by her side more along with my other grandparents, but what can I do when they live all the way in Fukuoka, Japan.
The last time I visited Japan and saw my grandma was back in 2003, when I was in the 7th grade and I couldn't tell you when the time before that was. It wasn't vacation unfortunately; my grandfather had passed away a week or two prior on our arrival. It was sad to see my mother, my aunt, my uncles and my cousins break down into tears when we had a gathering at my grandmother's house.
I didn't know my grandpa well either. All I knew was he was sick all the time when I visited him (from what I remember) and he is a war veteran.
Now, that my grandpa has passed away, my grandma as pretty much alone. One of my uncles has been living with her his entire life but knowing that their significant other isn't there by their side anymore, it's more than depressing.
My mother will always call her to check up on how she's doing and whenever I pass by my mother talking on the phone with her, my mom always forced me to speak with her, even if it's just a simple "Hey, how's everything going?"
My grandma and my cousin, Izumi
Probably about 2 years ago, my mother's sister called and told my mother that my grandma started to lose her memory. She said that my grandma didn't recognize my aunt when she went for a visit to my grandma's house and starts to space out while having conversations. My mother, sister's and I were worried that her time might be coming soon.
As my mother gave phone calls every night to Japan, she told me one day that she is moving to a nursing home because it was too much for my uncles and aunt to handle because it consisted of them having to stay up all night and going to work in the morning. They all thought it was the best for her.
I write this blog about my grandma because I was listening to music about chasing your dreams today and I remember my mother telling me during high school that my grandma said she hopes that I can make it big one day so she can watch me on TV. So, like any other kid would, I started to chase my dreams so I can show my grandma that I did it. Then I'll have flash backs of when my grandma would always treat me to lunch or buy me things that my mother wouldn't. I was pretty spoiled when I was around her but would scold me when I did actually do something bad.
I look up to my grandma because she is quite possibly the strongest person to live. Not physically, but mentally and emotionally. And when I think of what have to go through at times, I think about what my grandma has and is going through.
I wish I talked to my grandma about her past. It's been about 10 years since I seen her and I feel stupid that I didn't talk to my grandma a lot because as I grew older, I realized that family is everything and the times you spend with family is the thing we value most.
Now, I sit here in Torrance, California with no job and another year of school left, thinking of how and when I would get to visit my grandma when time is only running out. What I would give up to just to see my grandma, even if she doesn't remember what I look like, who's son I am or what my name is. I would give her the biggest hug.
Until I have time and money to visit her, I have at least one more year of college baseball left. I'm not great as everyone thinks I am but I'm going to give it all I got like I have always been. Leave it all on the field.
Since I have been home in Torrance, California for the summer with no job and a tight budget, I sit and sleep on my couch day in and day out. Somedays, I think about what I want to do after I graduate. Do I want to get a big boy job right from the get-go? Do I want to pursue something in the baseball field still? Do I want to join the military forces? etc.
Well today, I was taking a glance at Facebook and one of my closest friend posted a "status" listing all these places he is going to visit in the summer (I think that's what he's doing). And whenever I thinking about traveling, the first image that pops in my mind is Croatia.
For those of you who don't know, we had a Croatian, Dino Gutesa, attending Mount Mercy University playing basketball. Before I knew him, I asked him where he was from and he said that Croatia is one of the most beautiful places on this planet.
So, I went back to my dorm that night, and being the stereotypical human being I am, I googled it.
Croatia, is located east of Slovenia in Europe and the Adriatic Sea separates it from Italy.
Then I clicked "images" on google and I was drawn to this picture out of all the result that showed up..
Not most people have heard of Croatia before. I haven't until I started to attend a school in Iowa.
But Croatia isn't the only place I want to visit. There are many more places.
But am I going to have money have a graduate? Probably not, but Ill figure out a way
I dont
know what brought the topic of this blog. I just felt like writing something I
guess.
We see a lot of athletes get into slumps or get on a streak, they start to get
into rituals or have superstitious about everything they do.
According to Men's Fitness, "While his hitting power has cooled in recent
years, Colorado Rockie Jason Giambi was a pitcher's worst nightmare in his
prime. But even in his heyday the Giambino was prone to slumps. His solution
for turning things around? A golden thong. That's right. Whenever the 6-foot-3
first baseman found himself in a funk, he'd slip his 240-pound frame into a
tiny pair of butt floss before playing. More often than not, Giambi's weird
superstition actually worked. In fact, his bikini bottoms became so well thought
of, the five-time All-Star's teammate's would often borrow them to break out of
their own slumps."
Also according to Men's Fitness, "Jason Kidd used to blow a kiss to his
super hot wife, Joumana, before every free-throw. Cute, right? Well, after an
extremely messy divorce, Joumana is now Kidd’s ex-wife. So he has
adjusted his ritual accordingly. He still blows a kiss to Joumana, of course,
but not before wiping his fingers on his ass. Now that’s contempt."
During the 2010 El Camino season, I remember two of my teammates, John Hein and
Bobby Martin started taking Redline energy drinks before games (Don't judge us
Logan Gelbrich) and next thing you know everyone started to buy into it, even
some of the coaches. I brought another ritual/superstition to the team, where I
started to bring soda flavored candy to almost every game. Teammates would get
mad when I wouldn't bring them but hey, I provided it and money doesn't grow on
trees. I don't know how much money I spent on those candy and how much we spend
together as a team on Redline, but it lead us to the state championship.
I remember one of my coaches from El Camino Community College telling me that
when he played professional baseball, he went on some 20+ game hitting streak
and I forgot what it was but because of superstition, he said he ate the same
food everyday until his streak ended.
My good friend, a friend I call a brother, Andrew Pulido also has a ritual.
Before he throws the first pitch of every inning, he kneels down on one knee
and writes something on the back of the mound. He never told me or anyone what
it is; only a select few know....
In August 2008, I met a guy from San Pedro (California) named Rudy Yos during
the time I was trying out for El Camino. Before I met him, I saw this guy as a
hard-ass, cocky guy, which he was. But once I started to get to know him, he
was one of the coolest guys I met. I told this story many times, but for those
of you who don't know, I got cut from the team my first year, along with 3 or 4
other guys, and one of them was Rudy. After I decided to go to a one-horse town
Barstow to play baseball, Rudy called me and told me he was going to Barstow
too.
Then in January 2009, I lived in an apartment with 3 teammates in Barstow, one
which included Rudy. Rudy only ended up stay for 3 weeks at the school and went
back to San Pedro. I didn't find the reason behind it but it probably had to do
something with family; he just left one day and never saw him again. But during
the 3 weeks we were roommates, we had talks about life and baseball. It was
with this guy that I started to drink beer in the first place. I will never
forget that moment in time because I will some what affect me about 2 years
later...
Rudy Yos passed away on November 20, 2010 because of an overdose usage of
drugs. I didn't want to believe it a first. It was about three or four months
before that I talked to him on the phone while I was at Disneyland of all
places. I had to cut the the conversation short and to this day, I wish I could
have talk to him on the phone longer and caught up with him, and I regret that
I forgot to call him back in that three to four months...
From the talks we had, he had a big heart, especially for baseball. Being
teammates and roommates for 3 weeks showed me that Rudy would do anything to be
on the baseball field.
Ever since Rudy had passed away, I promised myself I would do a ritual. Every
time the National Anthem plays before every baseball game I play, I bow my head
down, close my eyes and talk to Rudy and tell him I wish he could be on the
baseball field with me, to look over me and the team and to keep us safe. After
the song is over, I always look up to the sky hoping that he is watching over
us.
Rudy is one of the reasons why it drives me to play baseball because like I
said, he would do anything to be on a baseball field. So if you see me at a
practice or a game, you'll know one thing about me that you didn't know.
To end this, I'll leave all my readers a quote: "Life is too short not to
make the best and the most of everything that comes your way everyday."
Rest In Paradise Rudy Yos
April 21, 1989 - November 20, 2010
I wrote this piece on Facebook on Feburary 25, 2010 at 9:51 p.m. during the 2009-10 baseball season while I was at El Camino Community College. The one year I will never forget.
"I probably wrote this on facebook cause Ill probably want to read this
later on this year and if i saved it on a computer and it crashed, i
probably wouldnt have it for later, unless facebook discontinues.
Well
its about half way into the season. not quite but its 5 days until
conference play. We didnt end on a good note into it but were 9-3. so
far, I think its a good start. Going into this season, i thought I
wouldnt make the team, honestly. But hard work kept me in the game.
During
the fall, i couldnt imagine how many good players were coming in and
returning. I swear I thought I had no chance. But I worked hard and kept
my head up. Went to go hit in the cages with Coop everyday. Tried
(cause I gained weight) to run hard on everything. You know tried to do
the little things. On individual meeting days, Coach told me I could
quit, or be on the team but wont probably get any playing time. But
right when i heard that choice, i quickly decided to stay with the team.
I didnt know whether it was a good choice or not at the time but
baseballs been there all my life until today and hopefully later, so I
stuck with it. I remember Pops telling me that he is glad i made the
choice i made to be part of something special. Then my first at-bat as a
Warrior against my old team, Barstow, I hit the ball to deep left field
and got a triple. Then i knew that i was part of something special.
This
is probably one of the teams that came together the most out of all the
teams I been with. We have our love and hates on this team but overall
were all within each other. We are literally like one big family. Im not
saying at Barstow we werent cool, but we didnt come together as one.
For me, Im pretty much cool with everyone...except maybe Larsen. hes
kinda of a quite guy. But this year means a lot to me. Although Im red
shirting, Im learning alot already and trying to keep up to everyones
level. In high school, I wasnt the best player around, and probably
still am and I havent been on a winning team before. But I have that
year to learn a lot of stuff thats happening on and off the field for
next year. But if I learn that i might not get a lot of playing time, im
thinking of hanging my cleats up but i dont know. After this season, im
probably gonna miss this team the most of out all the teams i been
with.
I know all you guys will probably make fun of me because
you'll read this but to make this a memorable season for everyone on the
team, lets take this all the way fellas. pick each other up when were
down. go big or go home. Beat everyone in the way. 232 baby. Thats what
were about to do."
Special shout out to the El Camino 2010 Dream Team.
For almost 17 years, my life has been revolved around baseball day in and day out. I never really played any other sports (besides basketball for about six to seven months). I worked hard every day, for the most part, and never looked back. I been hurt all the time since my Little League days back in 2001 in North Torrance, Ca; elbow problems, shoulder injuries, anything you can think of on the right arm. But thanks to my mother, she was always there to fix the pain and comfort me.
In high school, I was really never hurt or injured, although during my first practice my freshmen year, I miss a fly ball in the outfield and the ball hit me straight in the head. Then, I was always self-conscious about getting hurt and played scared at time, to be honest, because I never wanted to play injured again.
Then comes my college years. Long story short, I get cut from my first ever junior college I attended, but the coach helped me out by finding me another school to play at. Until I had a chance to play everyday in college, I had never took lifting serious. I had about three and a half months before being away from home and playing baseball so I became a member at a local gym and started to lift everyday.
January 2009: The Snowball Effect. It was literally less than a month away from playing my first game with the new school I started to attend, Barstow Community College. I was in good shape. Felt stronger than I ever was and was also up for any challenges that came my way.
The team wasn't even done with our first week of practice and I sprained my left ankle running the bases. I asked myself, "What did I deserve to get hurt?" I worked hard and gave all I got every single day. I rehabbed for the remaining days until our opening day and my ankle got better within that time and was ready to play the first game.
I remember it was Feb 12, 2009 and I was playing second base against L.A. City College. During one of the innings I was receiving a double play and as I made the throw, the runner slid to the base late and I landed on my shoulders in a awkward position. At the time I didn't even think about it but when I looked back, this is when a serious shoulder injury would come to haunt me.
Feb 13, 2009. I was a runner on third base. I think I was the only runner on base, I forgot, but I made a base running error by running home when it was hit right to the third baseman and it threw the ball home. I slid to home head first and that's when I really started to feel my shoulder pain come to me.
The pain progressively gotten worse. It was March 19, 2009, that was when I played my last game as a starter that year. My shoulder got to a point where I couldn't even lift it up. Couldn't even throw a baseball 5 feet. I felt like all the work I put in was a waste.
That was probably the most frustrated I been in my life. I had a couple more injuries after I transferred back to the first college I attended, El Camino College (Yes, I tried out again, but this time I made the team). I played two years there (red shirted one year) and both year I had elbow problems.
Now I'm sitting here at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at my desk typing this at 1:16 am about my injuries. Why, you ask? It is because I worked so hard day in and day out to get here and I am sitting down right now with a strained shoulder, where if I try to raise my arm up, it hurts like no other. What did I do to deserve this? Why me? Did it have to be now, going into the 5 week of our season? I took care of my body to prevent injuries and I get injured...
A fellow teammate once told me that everything happens for a reason.
I sit here, frustrated asking myself, "What is the reason for this?"....
