Let’s all put the “evil” of not focusing on positive accomplishments behind us too. (Also, do you have any idea how hard it is to find a gif from this show remotely safe for CD?)
For reasons - I have to be a bit vague but an opportunity that I initially had to pass on came back around shortly after I was just reflecting on being sad for passing it up. It was a very weird coincidence.
Got a critical piece of hardware working. Just in time to get a video for Big Wig meeting…
Now to optimize one or two of the elements…
Competed in FIRST LIVE event since 2020 last weekend. Passed 1 year in my new role.
Ended the first quals day I’ve had since pre-pandemic with a 7-1 record and 9th seed. Kids have been kicking [butt] all day. Great to be back!
Trying to be helpful where I can with pre-COVID knowledge with how Champs works, what to expect to bring, how to trade, etc. 
Baked around 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies as a reward to people who donated to a fundraiser I ran. Only 8 dozen left to go 
Raised $5k total, including the above fundraiser money, for the Arthritis Foundation with an annual event that finally was able to happen in person after a delay from earlier in the year.
Now for some more sleep and robot stream watching tomorrow while I finish the other 8 dozen cookies 
I started running at home again this week, and long distance walking in the city again - I took a pretty long break from it. I walked from my home in Mecidiyeköy to Kasimpasa(6.5km) two days ago, and from my home to Pera and back yesterday (6km each way) - Pera is just up the hill from Kasimpasa.
253 had our first event last weekend! The robot consistently improved throughout matches! We implemented some stuff I’ve always wanted to do with a team but never did: post-match video review? Don’t mind if I do! We had a really good post-mortem!
On the personal side, I’m hanging out with my niece* for the first time! She’s great! And I’m excited to spend the week with her and her mom (and her dad, he’s cool too). And I’m visiting home (Milwaukee)! And there are cats! And it’s spring break so I get time to catch my breath with classes!
*she’s not actually my niece but I am Auntie Katie
Volunteered at Tallahassee, which I needed more than I realized. Helped teams get in, get out, get on and off the field, and qualify to get on the field (five of the best reasons to volunteer!). Also the first time helping load an official field on the truck, the first time multiple students I didn’t already know recognized me from CD at an event (three), and the first time more than an hour drive (in a two county and three parish area) from my house since returning from Arkansas Regional two years ago.
At the office, something I decided to let break rather than continue to apply short term patches to late last year finally broke-- while I was at Tallahassee, And at least three layers of management backed me up, so things look like they may really get fixed. Time will tell.
I was accepted to MiT last week! It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to volunteer at Massachusetts FRC events next year 
Game announcing my first comp since 2019 was sooo insanely refreshing, it was amazing to be back.
I missed my robot friends. It’s good to have them back.
Back on the field volunteering again this weekend. And considering adding another event.
Punched our ticket to Champs!
And we have a Dean’s List finalist.
[edit]
I should also add that I volunteered at this event (the Iowa Regional) and it was a blast.
Got to talk with so many awesome students, mentors, and volunteers.
If you haven’t volunteered, please consider it.
Team won their second blue banner and kept that 100% win rate at events for the entirity of the teams history 2 events total
My two teams attended the Great Northern regional this weekend. Great event well run!
Our teams finished qualifications at the number 10 and number 12 spot. Our male team at the number 10 spot selected our female team after they moved into the number eight alliance captain.
They did not do this out of any act of charity, both of my teams know they’re going to pick the best robot to be on their alliance if they have the opportunity to do so.
I am reasonably sure this is never happened before in first robotics. Two teams from one school on the same alliance playing in elimination matches.
I could not be prouder as a coach of how my teams went through this season. This is the best overall group of students I’ve ever had in the 10 years I have been coaching. They are all just great people.
Some of my students put in almost 300 hours of time just during build season. Seeing that kind of dedication and drive makes everything that we do as mentors worth it.
It’s exhausting but it’s the hardest fun you’ll ever have!
Super proud of our team this weekend for staying positive even though we had a rough morning at competition with the way the schedule shook out against a very tough field. They kept positive, watched for opportunities to grab RP even in matches even in losses and positioned themselves well for getting picked in the finals. The fourth alliance they joined went on to upset the #1 seed and fought three super close matches in the finals. Even though they ultimately didn’t win they also left absolutely nothing on the carpet and walked away heads held high knowing that as a team they’d done everything they could throughout the day.
(And on a personal level was just great to be able to get back to an in person competition again)
The 1923/1914/7587 alliance contained 1923 and 1914. And Im pretty sure that 494/70 have played on an elims alliance together but when doesn’t come to mind immediately. Still cool though.
Volunteered for the first time at the Waterloo competitions, safe to say I will be volunteering again in the future
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