Blessed to Coach

This is a little late but better late than never right?

I was fortunate enough to be one of the coaches for the REM Women's flag football team. There were several reasons why I decided to coach this year, coaching gave me an opportunity to build relationships with those I wouldn't otherwise get a chance to, it gave me an opportunity to spend more time with Ashley and it also simply just the enjoyment of coaching. I wasn't able to watch football much this year but I probably spared myself some frustration with the way the skins played this year. I got to know to meet many of you for the first time this season and all of you are amazing people with big hearts.

I thoroughly enjoyed coaching this team and the bond this team had was truly special. Each person cared for one another and even the new comers, including myself, felt right at home. I'm thankful that all of you accepted me into the family and trusted me to come in and coach. I am so blessed to have gotten a chance to get to know all of you which is a big reason I decided to coach in the first place. All of you have big hearts and a willingness to come in, work hard and play with the right attitude.While winning the championship was great, I believe what was even better was the team as a whole playing the tournament with the right attitude and sportsmanship. Regardless of the outcome, I could not have been more proud of this team. To the offense, thank you for trusting me, thank you for trusting my plays and for taking the time to learn them. I can not express how thankful I am to coach all of you. I truly hope that all of you are able to come back and play next year! 

pc: Tim Ho

Blessed In Chicago

          Last weekend I had the privilege of going to Chicago for my cousins wedding. In all honesty I didn't know what to expect, all I knew was that all four families on my mom's side would be together for the first time in over a decade. It would be the first time all nine cousins got to all be together which was something I was extremely excited about. It was just such a blessing to be able to spend time with my family and also to have Ashley with me only made it that much better. Words can not express how much it meant to me that my family was so welcoming to Ashley. Overall it was one of the best trips I've had in a long time and hopefully we won't go another ten years before a reunion happens.

On Friday, Ashley and I went on a boat cruise with my cousin and cousin in law. It was something I didn't get a chance to do my last couple times in Chicago so this was a priority for me. We ended up going on the architectural tour, it was really nice to see all the buildings from the Chicago river and learning about the different buildings in Chicago. I took a bunch of photos but here a few of them.

Later that day we had a dinner where I got to see all of my family for the first time this trip. We're missing my cousin Joni and my sister who took a late flight that day. 

On Saturday, the wedding day, the family walked to Millennium park to check out the fountains and bean.

I had to head back to the hotel early to get ready for the wedding. It was my first time being in a wedding so I didn't know what to expect. I rented my tux from Men's Wearhouse on Rockville Pike which is where I tried on tux and shoes to make sure everything fit. After I left the changing room, the sales associate said she would pack everything for me and of course I didn't bother checking the bag prior to the wedding. Fast forward to two hours before the wedding, I open my bag and sure enough, no vest and no shoes. I luckily brought black shoes with me and my cousin had to tell the other two groomsman to take their vests off so we would match. Men's Wearhouse ended up refunding 100 dollars so I guess it ended up being ok. 

The wedding itself was really fun, it was a blessing to be a part of my cousins wedding and just having all the family there was the best part. I'm so happy to have Julie officially be a part of our family and am so happy for them both. 

Overall the trip was amazing and would not have changed anything, ok well maybe the whole tux ordeal. I'm blessed with an amazing family and am so thankful to have spent time with all of them.

Emotions On My Sleeves

For as long as I can remember, I've never been good about hiding my emotions and have always been one wear my emotions on my sleeves. My emotions have gotten the best of me more times than not and I honestly don't know when this all started. I think the last time in my life I remember not being an emotional person was probably middle school, but who knows, maybe I was then and just didn't realize it. I often let my emotions get the best of me which causes me to act in a way I wouldn't otherwise. In addition to that, I am not the most patient person which also will cause me to lose my temper and become emotional. I've struggled with not letting the little things get to me but rather allow them to affect me. My mom and close friends have tried telling me to let things go but it's something I continue to struggle with.

No single person understands this more than Ashley because I talk to her more than others, but of course others who I interact with regularly have experienced this as well. Learning to control my emotions, in addition to being a more patient person has proven to be one of the more difficult challenges in my life. I am far from perfect and it's something I struggle with regularly and something I've recently been more conscious of. I believe it's something that I can change but will require a lot of awareness on my own part but it will ultimately be by God's grace that change happens.

I've lost my temper, been emotional or impatient more times than I can count but there's nothing I can do but to learn and grow from my experiences. I'm thankful and blessed for all those who continue to support me everyday of my life. I'm hopeful that change comes sooner rather than later as I become more aware of my emotions and actions.

James 1:19 - "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." 

Proverbs 29:11 - "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." 

I MUST BE CRAZY - 4 Years Later

             I recently looked back at when exactly I decided to pursue physical therapy. Today is the 4 year anniversary of that big day. I am 4 years into my 5 year decision and I could not be happier. The original post is here, http://wesleyhwang.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-must-be-crazy.html, if any of you have interest in reading it.

             It is crazy that 4 years have flown by and that I am 9 months from getting my degree. The journey from Accenture, to Montgomery College, to applying to schools, to now has been one long emotional roller coaster ride. It's been without a doubt one of, if not the most challenging times. School has never been a strong suit of mine and it was a very difficult transition. I'm so blessed to still be here today and still headed towards my goal of becoming a physical therapist. I will officially be done with all my in class academics next Tuesday and will starting the first of three full time clinicals on June 2nd. We just finished our comprehensive practicals which was one of the most stressful times I've gone through at school. With that out of the way the next last big hurdle, not including passing each clinical, is the boards. I've been truly blessed by God in overcoming every hurdle at school. I've also been blessed with crazy support from my family, friends and classmates. Every day I am one step closer to becoming a physical therapist and it's been one crazy ride.

A New Year, A Better Me

2013 has come and gone, without a doubt in my mind it was the most challenging and trialing one of my life. The combination of the stresses from school and other personal things lead to moments of brokenness and hopelessness. I can honestly say that I could not have done it without the support of my family, friends and God. I have realized that I am very blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people and am thankful to have all of you in my life. Through the years, I've learned that everything truly does happen for a reason and that God places everything, good and bad, in our lives for a purpose. I'll be the first to admit that there are plenty of decisions this past year I wish I could change but the only thing I can do now is to learn from those experiences and move forward. Through all the trials of 2013, I know that I become a better and stronger person from all of my experiences. I'm eager to move forward and see what's in store for 2014.

My favorite bible verse serves as a constant reminder 
  James 1: 2-4 "2 Consider it pure joy, my brother and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Moving forward to 2014, there are many things on my personal resolution list:

1. Improve my relationship with God, trust in His plan for me
2. Improve my overall attitude, just be a happier person and not complain about things or get too emotional about things that shouldn't bother me. Improve my attitude when I play sports. 
3. Let the little things go
4. Focus on things that are within my control and not get caught up in things that aren't 
5. Eat healthier and exercising 3-4 times a week 
6. Improving my study habits
7. Improving my sleeping habits

This list could really be extensively longer but we'll keep it at this for now.