My First Cross Country Season 2023

I participated in my first cross-country running season this past fall. I had enjoyed track and was curious to experience cross-country.   I started running relatively late in my academic career, as I only began running track in the first week of March during my sophomore year.

I didn't enjoy it for the first two to three weeks because I didn't run throughout the summer. I had difficulty adjusting to the new season. At the start of the season, I would frequently get calf cramps in addition to severe knee pain. While trying to get over the aches, I rolled my ankle during a workout, which caused it to swell. The injury was minor—I missed only two days—but it was difficult for me to recover because of the persistent agony. Fortunately, as the first race drew near, my discomfort subsided. 

I ran varsity in my first race and clocked 21:19. Though I was not happy with my time, the coach thought it was a good first race and encouraged me to practice more. When competing in my first cross-country race, I had no idea that the sport had more strategy than trying for the best time. I would run with the freshmen and sophomores during the cross-country season instead of the upper-class students because if I kept up my hard effort, the coach would start forcing me to run with them. By the end of the year, I was in excellent form, and my time had continued to improve. 

A lot was riding in the Conference Championship, and the coach clarified that the top 14 athletes would advance to the Regionals. I felt good about myself and hopeful of making it to the Regionals. However, the race was held in appalling conditions - it was pouring heavily, the temperature was low, and the hills and grass were muddy and slick, making running difficult. Even though I ran one of my worst times of the season—19:55—I could still qualify for Regionals despite my mediocre performance. It was a proud moment for me in my first season. The coach conducted a “one-mile” and “two-mile” time trial towards the end of the year, and I smashed my track record for both. I beat my two-mile Personal Record (PR) by 41 seconds and my one-mile PR by 15 seconds. This season, we did not compete to the best of our skills as a team because of many injuries. I was pleasantly surprised and happy when I got recognition at the end-of-the-year award ceremony. I got two awards: 

Dupage Valley Conference (DVC) Academic All-Conference Award: This award is presented to Varsity athletes with outstanding athletic performance and excellence in academics(GPA 3 and above) 

Waubonsie Valley High School Varsity Athletic Award in Cross Country: This award is presented to Varsity athletes with outstanding athletic performance.

The season was fantastic, with a lot of learning. I am hoping for a successful track season in 2024. 

My Baseball Journey and Learnings from the beautiful game

I've been playing baseball since fourth grade. It all started in 2015, when I watched a Cubs vs. Marlins game. My love for the sport was cemented by that. I recall not knowing any rules or even what innings were, but seeing Kris Bryant blast a two-run homerun changed my opinion of the sport. Since that game, I've been obsessed with baseball, and every night, I'd beg my father to join a baseball league so I could play. Finally, in spring 2017, my father registered me for the Naperville Little League. Coach Mike, my first coach, greeted me there. He was an important instructor because he taught me how to field a ground ball and swing a bat. This season did not go well because we just won one game, and I could not play that game because of a family engagement. However, the excitement I felt when going up to bat was a great feeling and made me want to continue playing this game. 

My second season was a bit of a letdown because I played Little League in the fall with an older team with many players as many as two grades above me. They were competitive, and I had not evolved as much and still needed to gain experience. They would become quite furious at me whenever I made a mistake, and I would not have as much fun. Despite this, I was able to significantly enhance my defensive ability because the coach for this team only made us practice defense and no batting. My batting remained the same since I couldn't consistently contact the ball. During my third season, my batting ability skyrocketed as I made consistent contact and hit many line drives with consistent practice and focus. After that third season, I gained a lot of confidence and increased my hitting abilities year after year as I got stronger and my hits went farther. Furthermore, my pitching was quite strong, and I struck out many batters. However, COVID-19 hit during the Spring of 2020, and I did not play Baseball that year. This would be highly detrimental to my game. 

I moved to a more competitive league called the Wheatland Athletics Association(WAA) Competitive League in 2021, the first time I tried out for a baseball team. My game was terrible at tryouts and preclinic since I had forgotten all the mechanics after not playing in over a year. But, with some luck, I was selected for the team. I met another critical coach, whose name, unexpectedly, was also Coach Mike. He assisted me in getting back into condition before the season and also taught me a few more fielding techniques. During the first half of the season, I felt like I was back in shape, and my absence for a year had no effect on me. However, I began striking out frequently in the second half of the season and kept getting underneath the ball. I had my natural swing, but as I struck out more and more, I started worrying about the fundamentals, which messed up my swing even more. My team ended up as the Division Runners Up and lost out in the finals. I played summer ball in a recreational league after the spring season. I was dominant because I hit several line drives and pitched exceptionally well. This restored my confidence, and I was selected for the All-Star game, which was a fantastic experience. After the season, the coach of that recreational team urged me to try out for the Wheatland Ducks, a travel baseball team that would help me to improve my game and make the high school roster. As soon as I understood this, I began preparing for the tryouts by working really hard for the next few weeks. I also put a lot of pressure on myself. I tried out for the Ducks, and while my performance wasn't spectacular, it wasn't terrible either, from my perspective. However, I was unable to make the team, which is regrettable. I felt like I had worked hard for nothing, which made me quite angry. Unfortunately, this thinking did not work, so my game continued deteriorating. 

At the start of my Freshman year, I attended every high school baseball open gym over the winter, which was open practice, and I would also practice a lot outside of school hours. I focused too much on making it to the school roster during this period. I used to get quite upset whenever I messed up or when my dad threw a bad ball in the batting cages because I worried about the high school tryouts. This way of thinking affected my performance and, more importantly, how much I enjoyed the game. I was playing fairly well during the spring when high school tryouts began, and on the final day I had a very good performance. Unfortunately, the coaches did not choose me because I was too slow and small. As a result, I became outraged because I felt it was unjust, given how much effort I had put in. 

I could not play Baseball for a few months because there were no open high school leagues. Therefore, I would attend a private training session with Coach Cinz. He is a professional baseball player, and when I started to see the consequences of my swings, my mechanics gradually improved. The Naperville Baseball Association, a local high school league, was where I tried out, and they were the best tryouts I've ever had. I was incredibly cool-headed and forgave myself quickly for whatever mistakes I made. I was eager to play, and I made the team. Sadly, the team that chose me was made up entirely of juniors and seniors. As a result, I did not receive much playing time from the coach, so my game remained rusty and not very good. He would only play me for two innings to give the more experienced players a better opportunity. 

I would try out for the Wheatland Ducks again after the summer to increase my chances of making the high school roster. I had a terrible tryout because I couldn't make contact with the ball, and many of the balls went overhead in the outfield. I was certain I wouldn't make the team, but my dad received an email from the Wheatland Ducks the following morning letting him know I did. I felt ecstatic since I hadn't experienced anything positive in baseball for a while. 

I first used wooden bats while playing with the Ducks in the fall. I cherished the sensation of using a wooden bat. Compared to my previous seasons, this one was among my best because I could hit a few base hits. However, my game improved in the winter. The workouts were excellent, and we would practice for an hour and a half on weekends. On both the offensive and defensive ends, they emphasized mechanics a lot. 

I spent a lot of time working out with Coach Bill Smith, the head coach. He has played the sport for more than 40 years, and when the winter exercises were coming to a conclusion and high school trials were approaching, he helped me mentally. Some key learnings from Coach Bill –

●   He taught me that you should enjoy the work rather than the end goal. This is true for baseball and all you do in life.

●     He also instilled in me the value of never giving up by sharing a moving tale of one of the former athletes he coached. That player was cut from his high school squad every year, but in his senior year, he signed with a professional team and spent his final year with them. That player is now a professional who recently won a championship and currently plays overseas.

●    He was also a big proponent of little improvements every time you step out on the field. Every little progress adds up to building a better personality the next day.

●    He emphasized focus, dedication, and hard work for your cause. This is true for your game and life! 

I was very motivated; these lessons helped me develop into a baseball player and a better person. I again tried out for the high school squad in the spring, but I unfortunately did not do well. I played with the Ducks travel team in the summer tournaments across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. I was exposed to top-performing teams and travel tournaments, including the Stay-In tournament in Wisconsin. After this season, going into Junior year, I decided to stop playing baseball. Finally, I discovered that everything occurs for a reason. I joined my school’s track and field team during my Sophomore year since I didn't make the school baseball team. I currently compete for the high school track and field team and enjoy myself. I will continue the same during my Junior and Senior years. 

I will continue to be connected to baseball - I intend to coach a Little League team next summer. 

The game itself and teachers like Coach Bill have both taught me a ton of valuable life skills. I've discovered that baseball and life are remarkably similar; both teach you a lot through failures. Several top athletes have a batting average .300, indicating a missed shot of .700 times! But instead of giving up or losing your motivation/passion over the difficulties, keep going, take pleasure, and learn during the process. The ones who enjoy this game the most are the most successful at it. So always remember to have fun in everything you do in life. I'm grateful to baseball for helping me grow as a person and improve my quality of life.

Summer 2023 – Beautiful Niagara Falls

 

My family and I decided to visit Niagara Falls from the Canadian and American sides. We chose this route because we had previously visited Niagara Falls from the American side. To see the multiple falls at Niagara Falls, we decided to do the Canadian City Cruise(the Canadian equivalent of the Maid of the Mist), the Scenic Drive, and a lot of walking/mini-Hiking. I've been to Niagara Falls many times, which amazes me.

Since the falls produce approximately 75000 gallons of water every second, the river before the fall is incredibly turbulent. Everything about the falls is interesting to observe, and the roar of the falls is also quite remarkable to hear. Various activities beyond the Falls include minor entertainment venues, a waterpark, and a bird zoo. The primary attractions, however, are located near the Falls and include Maid of the Mists, a zipline, the Cave of the Winds, and a journey behind the falls. These attractions are incredibly unique and cool because they allow you to get a close-up look at each of the Falls and feel the mist tap you in the face. 

I plan to enjoy Cave of the Winds if we return there again.

 

Summer of 2023 – Northeast Visit – The Home of the Ivy Leagues

My family and I decided to take a one-week vacation to the Northeast to visit some of the cities, sites, and most outstanding educational institutions. We took a road trip starting from Boston to Niagara Falls, Canada. We passed through New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. We visited Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and MIT. We also visited New York and saw some tourist attractions, such as Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center Memorial, and the Observatory. 

Harvard University is an Ivy League university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a high ranking in numerous fields, including medicine and law. Tourists included curious and eager students like me. Established in the 1600s, the campus is enormous and very decorative. The buildings are all built with red bricks to match the color of the Harvard logo. Harvard Square, which seemed very busy with students and tourists. It has various restaurants and "The Coop", which sells Harvard gear and books. Most of the books are authored by Harvard Professors, which justifies the reputation of the high-ranking research school! 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) is located relatively close to Harvard, about 10-15 minutes away by car. MIT is the country's second-best college, noted for its STEM courses such as computer science, engineering, physics, etc. MIT is a pioneer for its research and collaboration between industry, government, and academia. MIT campus is not as vast and ornamental as the Harvard campus, but it is placed along the Charles River and provides a lovely and clean perspective of Boston. Many people sail their boats along the river and walk, jog, or cycle on the river bank.

Yale University is a private institution in New Haven, Connecticut. It's a highly-ranked Ivy League University. Yale offers many popular courses such as medicine, Computer Science, Psychology, Biological and Biomedical Science, and History Engineering. Yale's campus is vast, with several buildings constructed of grey brickwork. The buildings were fashioned in an antique style because the most of them were constructed in the late 1700s.

Princeton University is a private research institution in Princeton, New Jersey. It is the highest-ranked school in the country. Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Public Policy, and Psychology are some of the most popular majors at Princeton University. Princeton's campus is relatively large, with several restaurants and shopping areas nearby for students to sell their wares. The structures, like Yale University, have old and magnificent architecture. The Nassau Hall has an Ivy planted for each graduating batch going back to the 1800s!

I could not tour many additional Ivy League schools(UPenn, Brown, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Cornell). I plan to visit them next year before the college applications. These Universities started around the same time because they all sprang from the Original 13 colonies and have been around for a similar amount of time.  

Winter 2022 trip to LA – Historic Coliseum and Majestic Endeavour Space Shuttle

 

This blog is a late post about my trip to Los Angeles in the winter of 2022. We decided to undertake various activities in Los Angeles, including the LA Coliseum and the California Science Center, walking down Hollywood Boulevard, and visiting multiple natural beaches. All these activities were a lot of fun, but I also learned a lot about Los Angeles as a city while we were there. 

The Los Angeles Coliseum hosted the 1932 and 1984 Olympics and will also hold the 2028 Olympics. This 100+ year legacy stadium has an honor wall honoring the athletes and countries who have won specific Olympic events in that stadium.

There were no games at the time, but we got to view the stadium and learn about its history. Apart from the Olympic games, LA Coliseum has also served as a baseball stadium for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a football stadium for the Los Angeles Rams, and many more leagues. It now hosts collegiate football games for the University of Southern California Trojans. I was amazed by the legacy and splendor of the stadium.

California Science Center is a popular tourist attraction because it is the only museum in the world with a space shuttle that has traveled to the moon. Endeavour has completed 25 missions, the most recent of which was in May 2011. We could observe the shuttle and closely examine the amazing machine which has accomplished so much in its lifetime. We watched two scientific films in the theatre. One was about the scientists who discovered evolution, and the other was about how to avert an asteroid from hitting Earth. California Science Center has a lot packed for a day trip. It’s a must-see for adults and kids when visiting LA.

Generative AI - My first Certification

For the past six months, everyone has been talking about chatGPT. During the academic year, I also played with chatGPT. I was curious to learn more about the new Generative AI technology that is powering chatGPT, Google Bard, and other applications. I came across this Google beginner’s course and want to learn more about Generative AI. This training does not take too long, taking from 30-45 minutes on average. I had to watch and learn through an online video training about generative AI and then take a quiz about it in this course. You have to score 75% or above in the test to earn the certificate of completion badge. The video outlines the fundamental differences between the various types of AI and demonstrates how AI works. It's a short and simple course, but it teaches you a lot in a short amount of time, so I definitely suggest it.

Generative AI is a sort of artificial intelligence that generates new writings, images, or videos based on user inputs or inquiries. The way generative AI works is that the AI is given a large amount of input data and then uses that data to provide human-like responses. Another advantage of Generative AI is its ability to generate new content. Large Language Models (LLM) were the most commonly used AI prior to Generative AI, and what that AI performed was understand and recommend new information. However, its limitations included not generating photos or videos and not providing human-like responses.