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
