Chasing the dream or face reality

We all dream of being something larger than life: a professional athlete, singer, musician. A hobby that you will hopefully make it a occupation on a stage in front of thousands.

For some of us already, we worked for countless amount of years, months, days, and minutes to perfect the art of the performance.

Since I was a little kid, my dream was to, one day, become a professional baseball player.

It started unconsciously when my mother first started to take me to a baseball clinic once a week on a Sunday, where I would spend 6 hours on a baseball field practicing with other kids. This would continue for every year from the age of 5 to when I was 12; 6 years my mother and father would take turns me to this clinic and devoted there time for me to do this.

Honestly, I didn't this thing so-called baseball at first. I was dragged into it. I might have played catch a hand full of times with my father before this. But it wasn't after I joined my first little league team that I really started to fall in love with the game.

Smiling for the camera at the baseball clinic in Palos Verdes, Cali.

As I grew up playing baseball, stats and ratios were implied in the game as the years went.

During the freshmen year of high school, I remember when a coach told the whole team...

"Only about 1 in every 5 go onto play college ball after high school. 1 in every 50 get drafted from high school and college. And 1 in every 200 make it to the Show."

The ratio might be off but, he told us something like that.

In the four years of my high school, I would say I spent more time on the baseball field or doing something with baseball than I did in my living room. Unlike most people, I had nothing else but this game (I was in band, but didn't really take it seriously. Probably wouldn't have been so mediocre if i did).

After high school and in retrospect, I was probably an average or maybe even below average player if I compared myself to my teammates. But I know I always gave it my best, 110% as my buddy would put it. However, hard work didn't give me an opportunity to play anywhere out of high school.

Then, from making phone calls and to talking to people I have met throughout the years, I was fortunate to be able to play in college for 5 years.

A lot of sacrifices were made but, those five years, I say were the best days of my life.

After I got done playing, and again, I wasn't the best on the team, but I still had an itch to play and still do. I still work out like I would be ready to play in a game the next day and be better than everyone else out there. But I know, in fact, that in reality there are others better than me.

But that part of me that wants to play is still saying, "Take a chance. Try asking around and go for it if it comes to you. It doesn't hurt to try. You're still young. Go for it."

That means I would have to sacrifice the part time job I have right now, which my mother wasn't really happy about if I did have an opportunity to play (on the other hand, my father is up for it).

Then after a couple of days of thinking it through if I do want to really try to look for somewhere to play or not, my strength and conditioning coach posted an article on Facebook, which caught my attention ( http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sportingscene/2013/10/why-i-quit-major-league-baseball.html?mobify=0 ).

After reading this article, it made me think a little more.

This guy was a first round pick in 2006, spent 6 years in the minor leagues until he got brought up the big stage and quit after 45 games. Who would do that?!

He does have his reason behind why he ended his career as a professional athlete, but some people would give up their right nut to play in the Show.

But as I mentioned, this made me think a little more. Playing baseball (varies in other sports) only gets you so far in life, a person that gets brought up at the age of 20 or 21, might have a 20 year career, but after that, essentially, their career is over They can work within the sports world  (They probably a lot of connections with A LOT of places anyways) but their playing career was short lived.

Making a life long decision are difficult at times. I bet Adrian Cardenas was going through a roller coaster of emotions making this decision, even though it seemed like it was a simple decision he decided to make.

For me, if I did get a chance to play, I don't know what I would want to do: Find a job or play.

Big stage or not, making decisions aren't going to be easy. But taking a chance at sometime might make it worth it.

Do what you love and not what other people want you to do; don't let others write your story for you...

Jun

Airplanes and Terminals

Here I am back at home, back to reality, and trying to figure out whats in store for me next...

On my way to Cedar Rapids for the Alumni week, I sat next to a lady and she was a bit odd. She was taking things out of her bag and and sorting them in a few ways inbetween the seat that was empty us. 

One of the books she pulled out read "Book for Perfectionists." Immediately I thought she had OCD, she was going make everything all neat around me from the seat belts to how the books are stacked, etc. 

I didn't talk to her the whole flight and she talked to me as we were about to land.

Her name was Varci and she from the Orange County. 

She works at a hospital in the Public Relations department, if I remember correctly.

She told me that when she was in college, she was a nursing major, but it wasn't for her. So she decided to become a creative writing major instead.

And now, she was going Chicago to go interview 30 doctors in 3 days to find a doctor that qualifies for the hospital she works at. 

I told her a little bit about myself and I told her I was a journalism major and told her I don't really write anymore but I work part-time at Fox Sports cutting highlights. She asked me if I want to start writing or not, and I told her I don't really know what I want to do in life yet.

She said if I ever want to get back into writing, I could contact her.

We exchanged emails and phone numbers and that was the end of that...

On my connect flight to Denver last night, I sat next to this lady, I would say in her late 20's- early 30's (I'm probably the worst guesser when it comes to age) and I introduced myself. 

Her name was Cole and she was from Spokane, Washington (If it wasn't for Fox Sports 1 and didn't meet new people, I would have never known where Spokane, Washington. Thank you Fox Sports!).

I usually never talk to strangers because I feel like I get this weird vibe from the other person, but I got an advice from someone I know earlier in the week to not be shy. So I put it to the test.

Cole was visiting her parents in Cedar Rapids for the week. She couldn't wait to go back home to Spokane because she was getting sick, but she was kind enough to keep each other company for a bit on the plane ride. 

She told me works at a veterinarian hospital and has been since she was younger. She didn't attend college because it wasn't for her.

We talked for a bit longer before we took a nap upon our arrival to Denver.

When we got off the plane, I told her it was really nice meeting her and shook my hand as she was carrying a violin in the other hand...

The moral of this blog is to let you know, don't be shy; in this situation, a plane ride. You're going to be sitting next to someone for and hour or more so why not get to know them and make new friends. Who knows, they might be able to help you out in the future.

-Jun

Alumni 2013

I had a little layover at the Eastern Iowa Airport, so I thought I would write in here to pass some time...

I felt like I just said my byes to my friends in Iowa but I felt like I never left.

I decided to swing by Iowa again for the Alumni weekend that was held this past weekend. I felt kind of bad, but I didn't tell anyone but Salvador (aka Boii, aka Tio), one of my roommates from last year that I was coming back to Mount Mercy. I thought I would surprise people by just showing up, because where's the fun when you know when someone's coming into town. right? Well, it kind of depends I guess.

But overall, my five and a half days here in Cedar Rapids was a great time. There's no other place I would rather be than hanging out with old friends, making new friends

Paul (aka BeastLos) and I during the alumni weekend

and having a good time, especially when you make someone's week and they shift their plans around to hang out with you.

As much as Mount Mercy isn't the typical college/university I wanted to go to, and it being in Iowa, I feel really blessed with all the friends I have back in the city of Cedar Rapids, let alone this small state of Iowa itself.

I give the biggest thanks to all of you guys that I spend time with, and if I didn't get to see you, I'll definitely see you in the near future.

I want to give a special thanks to Salvador (aka Boii, aka Tio) for the hospitality during this trip.

Until next time Cedar Rapids...

-Jun

A wish to come true

So it's another sleepless night for me. Maybe the time change and all the hours I put in driving has me still jet lagged, if that's the correct term to use...And by the way, I am horrible at making up headlines...

I was just surfing the net, you know, the usual Facebooking, Twittering, Instagramming, Fantasy football, looking up things you want in life and so on. I been doing that for the past couple of days. Then I remembered that I had a Stumble Upon account and comes to my mind out of no where at times (Thanks Mari for showing me this site).

Alright so, if you guys don't know what Stumble Upon is, it's a site that gives you external sites by first choosing what things you like and puts it in one big servers of yours, and once you click "Stumble", it takes you to the genre of site you want to see. Of course, you don't have to do that and just browse through everything.

So I was just clicking "Stumble" periodically, as I'm laying on my futon and I see all these site like "10 things that will regret you getting a degree in your major" or "100 quotes about life that will change your life." You know, things that will make you think about stuff a bit (if you really care for it).

I take time to read those sometimes because who knows what you will come across...

I "stumbled" across a site that read "27 Things To Remember If You're Having A Bad Day." I thought, why not.

So as I was reading, I was laughing at the things they put on there, and I wasn't having a bad day!

I was getting towards the end of the 27 things listed on the page. I was down at number 25 and I saw a picture of a receipt the the bill being about $60 and the tip being a $1000!

I thought to myself this waitress did the dirty in the back of the restaurant.

But as there was a sidenote at the below the picture of the receipt and read, CLICK ON URL ( http://noneedtoapply.com/27-things-to-remember-if-youre-having-a-bad-day/ ).

After I read this, it not only made me feel happy, but want to be something greater than life and want to help out people like the Watiress Mom.

Of course, I would have to be a wealthy person to do all this, and by getting there, I have to put in countless hours of hard work at the job I am working at, at the moment.

But if I am wealthy enough, I want be a person to do good for other people.

Granted, I will not know whether if the person used, whatever I gave the person, on what they wanted to, I will still go out thinking, I made a better day for that person.

Yeah, I know there are other ways I can give back to people and/or the community, but reading this segment just wanted me to do something like this...

Now lets hope that win the Power Ball sometime soon, like real soon...

-Jun

Ideas for a weekly blog

I was recently on browsing on the internet and came across Jeremy Lin's website (www.jlin7.com).

On the tabs at the top of the page, theres a link labeled "backpack."

Essentially, what it is, it takes you to a internal page and shows what he carries around with him everyday in his backpack (Although he only has two posts on it).

I thought that was a pretty neat idea.

So I came with this vague idea of posting something that on my blog once a week.

I have nothing so far so I wanted to ask my readers what I should post on a weekly bases.

Thoughts?

-Jun

 

First summer away from home

Still haven't had Iowa sweet corn 'til this day...

For those whom may have not known, I spent the majority of the summer (I guess the whole summer) in the greater city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In order to get my degree, I had to take a internship somewhere and decided to do it at the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

But that was not all I did while I was living in the Midwest. I could have came home within a month into summer but I thought since I was out there, I would make the most of it.

One of the first things I did was go boating on Corallville Lake. I guess since Iowa lacks in attractions, this is one of the things to do. And this was the first time, although my dad had a boat, I drove a boat. After that day, one of my dreams is to buy a boat, but only take it to the lake because I get the the worst case os sea sickness.

The next eventful thing I did was go to the championship series of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska between UCLA and Mississippi State. I have to say, the atmosphere in Omaha that day was unreal. I've never seen a baseball stadium so full. People not only sitting down with no leg room, but people also standing around the premises of the outfield seats, some of them trying to tippy toe the whole time to see what was going on.

Before the game, I also got the chance to meet All-American closer, David Berg.

Inside TDAmeritrade Park

During my trip in Omaha, David, my teammate from Mount Mercy; Alicia, my summer roommate and I met four guys from Mississippi. These group of guys reminded me of the "Wolf Pack" from the Hang Over. Since it was Mississippi State's first time appearing in a National Championship game, the proud alums, whom are in the 30's to 40's, left the wives to come support their Bulldogs in Omaha. It was pretty cool hanging out with these guys. At the end of the night we exchanged number and told each other we'll keep in touch.

Mississippi State fans

A couple of weeks later, one of the guys (call him Crazy Ben since he was crazy when he drank) called me one early afternoon to keep in touch. Though it was only a brief conversation, it was cool talking to him. I told him that I have never been to a college football game in my life and he said I should make a trip down to Mississippi State to watch their first home game against LSU in September and he can find tickets for me and whoever wants to go. So I might be going to Mississippi sometime in the future.


Couple days after I went to Omaha, I went to my first rodeo in Edgewood, Iowa. Like an actually rodeo with hicks and red necks. Everyone dressed up in cowboy/cowgirl attire and everything. But the thing is, I didn't get to see all the events that went on during the day since I went out there during the night. It was a pretty cool experience to be at a rodeo in the country side. I never would have thought in my 23 years of life I would be swarmed in a people of hicks!

My Summer family

A real life cowboy. He told us he's broken six ribs and
 had pneumonia all in one day after a bull stomped on him.

I also spent my first Fourth of July away from home at a so-called "beach" in Iowa...

They didn't know about my gun-show, so I showed them....not really.

Next thing I did was go to a MLB try out at Rock Valley Junior College in Rockford, Illinois with Carlo, one of my teammates from Mount Mercy. If I had to describe that day in one word, it would be Fail.

We drove out from Cedar Rapids to Rockford from four in the morning so we can make it by at least eight, that way we had time to go through the sign up process. So we got there and no one was there at first, so Carlo and I decided to go to the gas station to grab a drink and some snacks until we wait for people to show up. When we got back to the field, it was about 8:30 and had 30 minutes until the try out started and about 50 people were standing around waiting for it to start. So Carlo and I go out there to wait with them. 

Another 30 minutes pass by and the next thing you know, there's about 200 to 250 people at this try out. As the try out started the outfielders showed off their arms and the infielders showed off there leather and the catcher, their pop time. After all the skill work was finished, it was time to hit. The outfielders hit first. When the last hitter from the outfield group was hitting, it started to rain, and I mean pour! The guy that ran the try out called it off and told people "Thanks for coming." So Fail number one there.

Carlo and I at the Open MLB try out at Rock Valley Junior College in Rockford, Illinois

Carlo and I decided to go to a Culvers (a fancy hamburger restaurant) and shortly after the try out was cancelled and when we were eating our food, not even ten miutes passed by and it was clear as day outside. You couldn't even see a single cloud. Fail number 2.

Overall, it was a good experience though, seeing who comes out to these try outs. It was also pretty cool that the guy running the tryout called me out, in a good way, while I fielding ground balls.

Then about a month later, I went to Chicago Illinois to catch a Cubs/Dodgers game. If you haven't been to a game at Wrigley Field, make sure to put that on your bucket list.

Driving from Cedar Rapids to Chicago was easy, until I got to the outskirts of the city, and the traffic was heavy. It almost felt like I was back home in Los Angeles County.

In front of the Wrigley Field sign. I guess
the fans accepted the fact that they aren't the
2013 World Series Champs.

David, my roll dog; summer partner in crime; whatever the adjective is, and I finally got to Wrigleyville (which, for those of you who may not know, is like a tiny city within Chicago where all the bars, shops, etc are), we couldn't fond a parking spot. As I was driving around the neighborhood, I saw a guy in front of his apartment with a sign that said, "Parking $20." David and I thought $20 was too pricey so we drove around a little more and the prices increased as we drove around, the highest being $40. So I quickly drove back to the guy we first saw and parked in his driveway.

The walk from his apartment to Wrigley Field was about 10 minutes.

We finally got our tickets at will call and we wanted to eat somewhere before we went into the ballpark. We stepped into a bar but it was pretty packed and we saw a Taco Bell so we grabbed a quick bite there instead (and no, I didn't get to try an authentic Chicago hot dog!).

After we ate, we headed to the field. Stepping into Wrigley had a different feeling than the other Parks/Stadiums/Fields. How I would describe it is the scene from Fever Pitch with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore, where the the little kid goes into Fenway for the first time. You would have to watch it to know it but there was the old school feel to it.

The view from our ticketed seats at Wrigley

Our seats were at the upper deck towards right field. I mean when I say right field, it was literally, all the way to the right side and couple of rows from the back.

Although we could see the game fairly well from there, David and I were looking for other seats to sit in. After the 4th inning, we saw some seats behind home plate that had not been taken throughout the game so we merge over.

When we sat down, we met a guy that has been a season ticket holder for five seasons. We told him we were from Los Angeles and bought us beers, actually two.

Our seats when we moved behind home plate

We talked about the how the Cubs sucked and the history of Wrigley field.

He mentioned to us that the fans already know and expect the Cubs to do bad every season, especially after the whole Steve Bartman deal. But that fact to coming to Wrigley and being part of it has a different meaning to watching the game. You feel like you are part of the history that built the field.

I learned from watching a game at Wrigley Field that not just Cub fans, but the Midwest fan base in general stay loyal to their team and not hop around the bandwagon.

Since it was a day game, after the game was over, David and I made a trip downtown. Since it wasn't David first time but it was mine, he didn't mind going again.

I would say from Wrigley Field to Downtown Chicago is about a 20-30 minute ride, with a train! I mean we have Metro trains here in Los Angeles, but it was pretty cool riding in a train on a track you might see in movies or what not.

Train Ride

David suggested that we go to the Willis Tower (or I guess the Sears Tower since thats what everyone calls it still).

At the Sears Tower, you are able to go in and go almost to the top of building and view the city from inside. But the catch is, you have to pay about $20 to get in.


Once we got to the top, looking outside was the window was awesome. I seen pictures from the building via Facebook during the day, but going there at night was pretty sweet, I'd say.

Random picture of Downtown Chicago

View of Downtown Chicago from the SkyDeck at Sears Tower

On the extended glass platform at the
SkyDeck

"Downtown Chicago, WE OUT HERE!"

It was definitely worth the $20...

Four days later, I was off to St. Louis to catch a Cardinals/Dodgers game with David, along with Dorman (or Jeff), Vinnie, and Albert.

St. Louis is a wonderful city. It's not too big or small of a city. I been to St. Louis once before, but only drove past it after playing a baseball game last season.

The Arch in St. Louis

But that day, even before we got to the city, we went to the mall on the other side of the stadium. The first place we walked into was a Lids out there. As soon as we walked in, Albert notice something unusual.

He asked a kid in there, "Ey, where did you get that hat?" The kid was 19 or 20 (I guess he's not a kid) and he looked somewhat confused, somewhat scared. He point at his hat and and said "This?"

He was wearing a Mount Mercy hat, all the way in St. Louis! He said he was going to be attending there during the Fall (He's now my old roommate's roommate now). Small world I tell you.

After spending about an hour or so (maybe a little more), we went to go grab a bite before we went to the ballpark. Since we knew there was a Jack in the Box in St. Louis and none in Iowa, yes we ate at Jack in the Box.

After we got our Jack in the Box fix, we headed towards the stadium, but had to wait 30 mins before the gates opened.

Though it was a Tuesday, it seemed to me like it was a sell out crowd. You couldn't see an open seat anywhere.

Outside Busch Stadium

Stan "The Man"  Musial statue

I 've never been to the old Busch Stadium, but this one that opened on April 4, 2006 was pretty sweet. I 'd say one of my favorite ballparks that I have been to, although I only been to five total (Dodgers Stadium, Angels Stadium, PETCO Park, Wrigley Field, and Busch Stadium).

Busch Stadium during the day

Busch Stadium at night

I had an old friend from when I played in Barstow, Cody, that lived in St. Louis so I met up and caught up with him at the game. While we were taking, I hear someone say my name.


I thought to myself, "Who the hell knows me from St. Louis besides Cody?" I turn to my right and I see Johnny, a friend from California that played at Cypress College and Virginia Tech sitting in the same section as me. Again, small world right?

Johnny told me he was playing semi professional baseball in Missouri and he was at the game because he had a day off. Crazy to see someone that far away from home at such a city like St. Louis.

Another cool thing I did while I was in Iowa was I got to visit the Field of Dreams in Dyersville. Yes the original site of where at movie was filmed.

In front of the Field of Dreams sign

Where you at, Kevin Costner?!

On the bench at the Field of Dreams

View from the entrance of the site

Another view from the entrance

The Field of Dreams house

There's a lot more things I could write about my summer in Iowa, but I thought I share some of the experiences with you guys.

Jun

Shout out to...

All my old and new friends in Iowa and the Midwest for making the most out of my summer

The town of Bernard and the Bernard Indians for an awesome season this summer,











The Cedar Rapids Gazette for giving me the opportunity to intern with them,











Alicia and the Spurgin for the hospitality this summer,

And most of all, to my Iowa summer family, David and Mary. I don't know what summer would have been like without you guys,















Also a huge shout out to my parents for supporting in whatever way they can from California.

Being a role model

This summer, I had the chance to play with the Bernard Indians in a semi-professional league in Eastern Iowa.

I just couldn't stay away from baseball shortly I was done with my collegiate career so I decided to play with the Tribes as long as I was in Iowa.

In all the years I have been playing, I guess I was known as a hard worker. Never really got to see much time on the field during my five years combined but I wouldn't change my experience for anything. But when I did get the chance to step on the other side of the foul line (or is it the fair line?), I would give it my best to help the team succeed.

But one thing stuck with me this summer while I was playing for Bernard. We were at a tournament in Dyersville (the location of where the "Field of Dreams" is) and one of my teammates and his wife told me that his son wants to be like me.

Randy, my teammate, and his family came to almost every game we played in, whether if he was playing, on the bench or injured.

His wife, Cindy told me "Our son thinks you're so cool, especially with the hair you have. He said he wants to grow it just like yours."

Though it might not seem like a big deal to some people, I really take this to heart. I've never had some say that they want to be like me when they grow up.

I guess how you act can make a huge difference and impact on someone. I was always told work hard, hustle everywhere and do the right thing because someone is always watching.

In this case, it was a boy with a dream, who was watching someone that was once chasing the dream...

Jun

Shout out to the Bernard Indians and the Reed Family! Roll Tribes!