Just A Little Bit
ILL SEE YOU THERE!
Friday, July 29
Thursday, July 28
Our Deepest Fear...
"Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a man go to Heaven..."
NELSON: In the movie Coach Carter there's a scene where coach carter asks one of the kids what their deepest fear is. Well, the kid didnt know exactly wha the heck the coach was talking bout. Finally, later on in the movie, the same kid stands up and recites the famous inaguration speech from former south african president, nelson mandella. At the talk last nite on theo, the speaker ended his talk by sharing a small background on nelson, and then reciting the same speech. To me, its a pretty inspirational quote a great reminder of who, as children of God, were called to do.
THE TEXT: Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine,we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
PRIMERICA: A couple months ago this filipino man came ot my doorstep asking me if I was interesting in earning money, if I ever thought of going into the business field. He began to explain wha he does and how much money he has made and how I look like a young motivated individual willing to learn and try new things. It was my fault cuz I shouldve told him off hand I wasnt interested but I kept on a hook. Well tthe guy kept calling my house(i didnt give my cell, thank God)wanting to get hold of me. Finally, sunday I spoke to him and gave him the opportunity to share wha it is. Met him at mcdonalds that nite and he showed me this whole slide show on how the company works, how you can make money. After it all I told him as much as Id love to do this, I juss have no time. Which is funny cuz he showed me the excuses people have...top one was time issue. ANyway, the guy sent me a thank you card today. It was hard to read but pretty much thanking me for taking the time out and if I can refer friends to him so they can earn and make money. People can get so easily caught up in those type of things. Its amazing what people will do to try and become rich.
LOOKING GOOD: My coworker is so creative, well you know how I was talking bout my wall I did at work? I was telling her that I wanted to put up letters inbetween each picture. She ends up taking the iniative and creates her own. Which is d0pe I like that kind of motivation cuz I was only thinking of doing bulletin board letters. She went the extra mile and juss made it straight out of construction paper. I have a half of a section to go then I'm done. It looks really cool, I feel so accomplished w/that place. Of course, its not perfect, of course there's problems yet I think God used my coworker and I as instruments somehow to change things around. Like I said the kids arent perfect, but a lot has changed in the past couple months I've been back. Maybe thas why God didnt give me or hasn't shown me a new job opporunity? Perhaps there was still more work to do at fern street.
ONE ON ONE: After bjs tonite, I had a cool convo w/peebs in the parking lot. We stood there talking for at least 20 min. juss catching up. She's a cool person, I'm glad God made her my prayer buddy cuz it had allowed me to really get to know her. Its funny cuz we dont usually catch up, catch up until our annual lentend luncheon at rubios. ha! My peebs rocks and if you know her or get to know her, you'll understand why.
TEN STEPS: I recieved this email the other day on ten steps to a blessed day...check it;
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.
1 Corinthians 4:12-13a
Ten Steps To A Blessed Day
1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK.
If someone is rude; If someone is impatient; If someone is unkind, I will not respond in a like manner.
"Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs"
(1 Corinthians 13:5).
2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY".
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.
"For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only son
so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"
(John 3:16).
3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY.
I will carefully choose and guard my words, being certain that I do not spread gossip, slander or malign anyone in any way.
"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres"
(1 Corinthians 13:7).
4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE.
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person. I will find ways to make life more pleasant.
"Greater love has no one than this
that he lay down his life for his friends"
(John 15:13).
5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE.
I will forgive any hurt or injuries that come my way. (I will also work to forgive injuries that have been inflicted upon me in the past).
"God is love"
(1 John 4:8).
6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL DO IT SECRETELY.
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another person. We always thank God for you mentioning you in our prayers.
"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love,
and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ"
(1 Thessalonians 1:1-2).
7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS AS I WISH TO BE TREATED.
I will practice the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"- with everyone I encounter.
8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED.
My smile, my words, my expression or support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink"
(John 7:37).
9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY.
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods; I will thank God for my body.
10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY.
I will spend a little more time in prayer today; I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice.
"It aint over..."im done, im out God bless!
Wednesday, July 27
Time To Sit Back & Unwind
"You dont go to the altar to alter someone..."
TRY AGAIN: It looks like Ill be at cypress again, hopefully juss one more semester then this is it. One of my instructors from last semester mentioned that being in the 'teacher prep program' there is some what of a direct link to skools like long beach state and fullerton. That's something Im defiently look into once the semester starts. I juss hate the fact knowing that #1 skool is starting up again and #2 that im going back to ugly ol cypress. Spent portion of the morning there trying to figure out when my check for summer classes that I dropped will be coming in the mail. The guy said I should be getting it any day now...Ive been waiting for over a month for that check to come in.
PROUD: We did this new thing at work called 'the face of fern.' I took mug shots of all my kids and glued them to construction paper, then added wrote their names under it. I started to staple them on the wall today and it looks tight. Even though I dont have any fancy bulletin boards or anything like that, juss havinng their faces there and the kids art work looks nice. It goes to show taht sometimes you dont have to do the most difficult or fanciest boards...its sometimes juss teh simple things that count. The kids thought it was cool, juss seeing their picture and others up on the wall.
MYSPACE: I was talking to my friend from hs last nite, and she was telling me how a couple of our old friends from hs are on myspace now. Actually I was real anxious to see what they look like, juss I heard so many different rumors bout them. So when I got home, I was kinda taken back well not a whole lot. One has a kid now, which seems to be some type of 'trend' w/a lot of people I went to skool with. Then the other one is gay...on her myspace they were showing pics of her and her gf at pride day in daygo. Pretty interesting the things you can find, let alone the people you can find. Although, I always find it cool when you find people you went to skool with.
MEMOS: Monday, I was at work writing this memo to update my supervisors on whas going w/YaA. It was so funny as I was sittingn there typing it, I thought it would be easier to go over each topic how I do it on my blog. So thas exactly how I did it, except w/no pictures and no quote to go above it. ha! When I came into work yesterday, my bosses were real pleased and impressed by my memo and the update of the progess the yaa is making. I have so much to do yet before summerfest to get our booth ready w/dance fliers, dj contacts, and everything. I juss wish there was more time to get things done. I really need to make a things to do list of juss things I need to take care of.
THEO ON TAP: Went to the second talk on theo on tap last nite. Ever since I became active in the scrc youung adult core, I always heard bout theo on tap but never went to one. Anyway, I went to it last nite, to talk on relationships. Well I ended up coming late to the talk and then saw a whole mess of sfc people. Anyway, after finding my group and then settling down trying to focus on the talk, it was kinda interesting. I think one of my favorite points was this point this lady brought up, there are 3 c's in a good relationship. COMMITMENT-I'm going to be around COMPROMISE-Willing to listen and go the extra mile and COMMUNICATION-learning how to communicate. A marriage cannot be built just on a physical and sexual attraction, you need it all, spiritual, physical etc.
SUMMERFEST: So I was really hoping to be out of the city before summerfest this year. Agh, unfortunately it didnt work out the way I planned. Well summerfest is this huge festival the city throws on erryear, more less the parks & rec dept. It starts at 12-6pm, music, vendors, food, entertainment, and more. I hate working it cuz it's juss a really hot long day. Standing on your feet all day long. This is going to be my 4th one...agh!! Luckily, I dont have a huge job assignment this year, juss chill in a booth and sell pizza. When the day is over though its like one of those things where you juss let out a sigh of relief. Last year it sucked, we had 2 major events planned two weekends back to back. Well its aug. 12 for freeeee in stanton park, come check it out!
"In the ferrari, jaguar switching full lanes w/the top down screaming out money aint a thing..."im done, im out God bless!
Tuesday, July 26
Feel The Vibe
"Let your life change the world one person at a time..."
AFTER THE SHOW: Well, as the expression goes, after the show is the after party...Here's one after party you dont want to miss out on! Come help raise $ for the 2nd annual spirit games by supporting 'cana the after party' funraiser dance. All proceeds will go to help pay off and make possible spirit games 2005. The dance is this friday, july 29 at the stanton community center. The cost is only $5 and there will be funnel cakes, drinks, and tons of music to groove to. This is one after party you dont want to miss out on! Doors open at 7pm and the sistas are in free before 10pm ha joking. Anyway, please come show your support and w/your help we can make spirit games 2005 unforgettable!
HURRICANE: My boss/director came back to work today from his vacation in cancun. He was sharing bout the whole hurricane thing that happened. I guess it happened in the middle of the nite. The storm came water was flooded errwhurr, the wind blew off the roof of the hotel, power went out. He told me he had to shower w/a bucket w/only cold water. They were all moved to this building and then had only candles for light. Talk bout an unforgettable summer vacation! Thas crazy I thought to be caught in a middle of a hurricane. Praise God they weer able to get out as regularly scheduled on friday.
YOUF: I went to check out the holy family youf group meeting. Man it was packed, kids kept rolling in through that hall. It was funny cuz I saw abe there! I was like wha the heck are you doing here?! He was like this is new my parish, sPv has no youf group. Messing around w/him I told him,'why you always followinig me around?! This is my new parish now...haha' Though I had a great time juss being there. I really do miss working w/youf-teenagers, in fact it made me want to see if there are other youf ministry positions open. The people at holy family are so cool, I honestly thought it would be take forever to get over sPv. Ive really been able to meet some great people at holy family. Im glad thas my new home and every day I thank God for sending us this parish. Im soo excited juss to serve and praise God there...really I am.
SHAKAS: Banne and I went to dinner at that hawaiian place called, 'shakas' in artesia. Ive eaten there like a couple of times. They have d0pe hawaiian food, w/good portions and a nice variety of errthang. Great food, awesome service, perfect atmosphere...time to make a trip back! yay! It was nice sitting down and catching up w/each other. I told her we have to do this at least once a month, even if it as small as getting coffee. These days, errones lives are filled w/so many things, its so hard to actually plan to sit and catch up w/them. So when I am able to go out w/people who I haven't seen in a while w/people like fr. paul, randell, banne, mark anthony etc. I cherish the moment. Sounds corny and gay maybe, but its true now a days no one has time to say, like usher 'let's chillllllll.'
MONOPOLY: On friday at work my coworkers, myself, and couple of the teens were playing monopoly. This past summer I've gotten to love the game! It would be freakin tight to play it w/other people like rob...ha I can so picture us getting mad each other playing. Anyway, so my coworker pretty much cleared the board owning, errproperty except the two most expensive ones...park place and boardwalk. I bought boardwalk, but in order for me to claim territory I had to take park place as well. The problem was the kid had park place, so I offered him $500 for his property. On top of that I made a deal that errtime he landed on any of my properties, I wouldnt charge him. He thought it was good deal and let me keep the property. Ha being that I was banker, I was passing money under the table. ANyway, my coworker caught on and quit theh game haha it was funny. So today at work she was telling jesty bout it and he laughed saying I was teaching the kids how america works today. hahaha!
"I say a prayer at every heart beat..."im done, im out God bless
Monday, July 25
Ordinary Times, Ordinary People
"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us..."
FRUSTRATION: I was real frustrated with juss a variety of different things today. First with coworkers, then family stuff, then spirit games stuff, it was like a domino effect. Once the first domino fell, they all started to fall down one by one. Im alright now I think...but I hate it when you need to vent and no ones avaiable to listen to you. I wanted to juss go outside and scream. However, I think I finally felt at peace juss chillin on the rooftop and letting things go. I know the best thing to do was go to the blessed sacarment, but I juss was too lazy to drive down to bellflower. There's no point on dwelling on it cuz well life goes on. ha
LUNCH: I had lunch w/randell on friday over at rubios. I havent gone to yfc in long time w/how meetings on wed. for now. It seems like I've misseed out on so much over there down in irvine. I miss driving down to irvine, yfc/liwanag meetings. I guess now that I have tues. free, I should take a trip down there. Its cool how even though most people go back home for the summer, they still have summer meetings. People can still count on and rely on these groups to feed them while the summer is going on. Anyway, it was nice catching up and juss sharing w/him all thas been going on. I think the last time I had seen him was at youf rally...which was back in april. Wow! Randell's a d0pe guy, errtime I see donald faison it always reminds of him.
PLAYING GOD: Went to go watch the island with fred last nite. It was a lot better than I had expected it to be. In fact I remember originally when the previews came out the movie didnt seem all that appealing to me. The movie takes place in the future is about a rich company that has invested trillions of dollars in making genetic 'clones' for rich people. At the same time theres all these 'clones' kept underground in this old military futuristic place. Well they've all been told of this place called 'the island' that errone wants to go to cuz its pretty much the last undefiled conclave on the planet. Wha ends up happening is the ewan and scarlettte(who is really hot in the movie)discover there is no real 'island.' So they escape and blah blah blah. I thought it was good cuz it was action packed. From the looks of it, it seemed like those boring sci fi movies w/a lot of talking and not enough action. I found a good lesson after watching the movie, so I took something away w/me.
SO MANY: I never realized until this year that there were so many things in july. This past month has been packed with birfdays and anniversaries. So it continues w/my friend from sol erkie's birfday today. I juss started to get to know him in like april. He's a pretty cool guy, thas accident prone ha. Errtime I see him he's hurt himself somehow from the bonfire, to myrons birfday. He turned 21 today, ahhh the feeling of turning 21 it really is something to celebrate. Anyway, my friend enjoy the big 2-1 cuz after that it goes by all too quickly.
NEWSPAPER: My blogs are starting to look like a newspaper now ha With a picture in front of almost errtopic. I think I might enhance my blog layouts a little bit. Adding a picture in front of the topic would add more flava to the blog. This way the readers know exactly wha or who I'm talking or referring to when I talk bout the topic. Yeaaah now that uploading pictures on the blog is a lot more easier to do now!
THE FIRST: Went to mass for the first time at holy family this morning. Ive gone there for confession once, but never went there for mass. So I decided to go to the youf mass at 11am, wow it really does get packed in there! The choir was extraordinary, some of the girls who were singing solos...their voice as amazing. Especially that one girl who did the alleuia she did second voice hitting them high notes like mariah or christina would do it. I was standing there soo mesmerized and juss wow! Mass was d0pe there, fr. vic is one funny guy. Ran into the de jesus' after mass. Briefly talked to mark anthony bout their youf rally they're planning. It sounds exciting, jamie was explaining to me how they're kinda taking it after world youf day. The priests are real jazzed up bout it as well, makes it even better!
THE MESSAGE: Fr. Johnny's message in this weeks bulletin was real interesting. Sharing how the liturgical calendar of 'ordinary time' fits in with the summer months. How the summer is made for thinking of the ocean tide, finding shade under a maple tree, catching up on a book that we never got a chance to finish, enjoying the presence of kids out on summer vacation etc. He said these liturgical sundays in ordinary times address those 'ordinary' moments in our life when we need to juss stop and smell the roses. This sunday is one to reflect one the simple and ordinary treasures of our lives. HOw even 'ordinary' persons, things and events in our lives can make an extraordinary impact in our person. Point is to take time out to appreciate certain experiences in our lives that may seem so ordinary now yet through those experiences its made us wiser, gentler, and more appreciate of life and people.
"Maybe we should take it slow..."im done, im out God bless!
Sunday, July 24
Friday, July 22
How Could I...
"A true friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else..."
FORGET: I think mostly errone has one, yes a special person they call their 'best.' One that they feel comfortable sharing their whole depths of their heart with. Someone they can rely on through thick and thin to be there for them. Anyway, I totally forgot it was heif's birfday yesterday. I cant believe she turned 24, maan were both getting old. She possesses all the qualities of a best friend and more. Despite, the fact she's on vacation right now and wont be able to read this, wishing you the best heif on your special day! Thanks for being a wonderful friend!
HOT DAY: These past few days have been extremely hot! I dont understand how people could take vacations to places like arizona for a weeked. Especially when its a lot hotter over there! My building is still so hot even with the air conditioner running. I have like 25-30 kids in there at one time, too much body heat. Plus the doors are open on top of that so the cool air isnt really being trapped inside the building. HOwever, a lot of the kids have been going to the pool across the street where they live. I went over there to juss check it out see whas this pool thing is all bout. Ahh how I wish I had a pool again, it looks so refreshing jumping on and juss playing in the water. Its been forever since I really swam in a pool.
THE DEAL: I think if you really can entice a kid w/something that they're really into, they'll do wha you want. The two kids that I made a deal with the day before, remembered. In fact they were excited bout it. Being able to go to angles game the thought of catching a fly ball in the air. So it was cool how all I had to do was remind them bout the trip and they would straighten up. One of my other coworkers, well he's more less a volunteer; he gave me this 'our father' prayer thing in a frame. He told me I could put it on my desk, its funny cuz he'll ask me random questions every once in a while bout my vocation. I thought it was so thoughtful what he did.
INSIDE OUT: THe city manager came by yesterday morning and turned my director's office into a 'all inclusive stanton resort.' He's playing a joke on hiim, assuming that his trip to cancun was ruined by hurricane. They took out his chair and put a stool behind his desk. Removed the coach, coffee table, and book shelf, added a cot, a table with chips, water, and fruit. Then in the corner added a bucket w/paper towels for restroom and shower needs. Afterwards, we put plants inside the whole entire office. It was pretty funny, now I juss wonder how he's gonna react when he walks in on monday.
NO REGRETS: Yesterday I had received an email saying I had a friendster message. So I had checked it and it was from one of the youf leaders of holy family. Not only did she send me a me a 'friend request' but also a message. She shared how she's glad that how has become part of the holy family family and looks forward to working serving God with us. I thought that was nice, the people there are so nice to us. They've welcomed us with open arms. Ive been doing a lot of reflecting and thinking, although its funny how things turned out, I dont regret anything. I am juss thankful to God that how has found a home and I know only great things are to come.
BIRFDAY BASH: It was funny myrons birfday bash felt like pdiddy's birfday bash. You had all the community leaders coming out to celebrate his special occassion at boomers. Then after when myron blew out the candles he gave a nice speech on continuting to serve God and thanking errone for being there to celebrate this momentous occassion. I took carl w/me, it was funny cuz henri, gp, and cj took him in and befriended the kid. Him and I were competing with errthang we did. We did the go karts and some girl crashed into me oh why?! So I lost that one, then the rock climbing...ha he beat me at that maan I'm fat! I got him good at the street fighter game ha and skeeball was fun too. OH yeah bumper boats was fun this girl wanted to push me inside the waterfall so Id get soak. I told her not to and she goes 'its part of the game.' I said agh no dont push me inside the waterfall or else youll get it too! ha Anyway, check out the pics from last nite, I love my camera!
Oh when it all, it all falls down I'm telling you ohh, it all falls down 
"But I know there's a reason for everything..."im done, im out God bless!
Thursday, July 21
Running With It
"On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him...."
CONTEST: So were having this contest at work which I think is pretty cool. Pretty much errone at work in the city, has their own workspace cubicle/office whatever. Well next month city council is going to be coming by and judging the spaces. There's a whole bunch of different catagories and whoever the winner is of that catagorey wins something. It sounds pretty fun, so I'm going to bring back on my desk all my frames, pictures, and all of that stuff. Thas the perk of having an office, is I love juss putting things all over it. Goes to show wha kind of person you are, wha type of things you like juss defines a personality.
GIVE & TAKE: Ive learned a lot through workng with kids, especially working at the place I'm working at now. I had made a deal w/one of the kids today that if they were good for a whole week, Id scholarship them to go on the angels game excursion. The kid was really excited to go, with anything there's a catch. The catch is he has to be good and not get kicked out, the moment he gets kicked out then the deal is over with. I could see how excited he was and juss being able to get hte opportunity to go. My coworker was like whyd you make that deal with them cuz you know he's gonna juss mess it up. I told herr its a give and take, I know a lot of these kids are not bad kids, they juss need to be given some direction. If I could help them by providing incentives and other ways to get them on that right direction, then so be it. Sometimes its important not to loose hope in them.
YOUTH: Each week it seems I'm beginning to get fonder and fonder of the teens. Every meeting it totally feels like I'm running a youf group. The funny thing is that these teens are all girls, no guys in it whatsoever. Though they're a good group of girls, its so funny we all get so sidetracked talking bout stuff like myspace and movies and other stuff. I can totally see the group bearing a lot of fruits down the line. For example one of the girls was talking bout kelly clarkson today ha I was like I love her songs! I think each day I'm reminded of how much I enjoy working with youf, with kids they juss some how make me smile.
HOW: We met at at our official new parish tonite. It was cool I ran into some of the leaders of the parish like the music director, youf minister, and one of the choir directors. They're so warm and welcoming at the parish that they make you feel right at home. So we began planning and brainstorming some ideas for our new group, its exciting starting all over again. Its amazing how juss the pieces fell together, and I, personally wouldve never thought of starting or joining a whole new group. Im excited to get to know the people at holy family and offer my talents to the parish for God's greater glory. GoOoooo hOoooooooooooW! haha
HAPPY BIRFDAY AGAIN: A birfday shout out going to myron villanueva, you might know him from spirit of love rowland heights. I never really got to know the guy until working w/him through spirit games. He's really great person, who does his best to serve in wahtever way he can. He's a great supporter and encourages you to keep on going. He brings so much 'spirit' and 'energy' to our spirit games meetings. Not only that, he almost tried to serve me during our 360 battle at the ninis. I'll be at boomers tonite celebrating his big 30! Yay time for more fun!
"Hurdled life's obstacles, found my way through the maze..."im done, im out God bless!
Wednesday, July 20
Life Goes On
"Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies..."
THE LAST VISIT: I went back to the doctors, I cant believe that my surgeon doctor is still on vacation. His assitant guy was there checking out my ankle, giving me the okay to go back on 'normal duty.' Ive been on normal pretty much since the day of my surgery ha. Anyway, a month ago when I went my ankle was kinda bruised, a little swollen, which apparently is normal. His advice was to keep off the foot from like do hardcore running, like running 5 miles or something. So when I went back today, he said errthang looks good and start off doing slow stuff like the bicycle then work my way up. I'm juss glad errthang is over with and I dont have to go back unless needed, its a pain driving back and forth. I think though I need to schedule an apt. soon with my regular doctor.
BRIGHT DAYS: I love it when my boss is in a great mood, this past week he's been real cheerful and stuff. Not that its odd for him to be in a happy mood, but it juss makes work a lot easier. Working w/people who have a positive attitude is the best. Geez, I dont know how I would be able to spend 4 hrs. in a office hearing someone juss complain all the time. Its like theyre afraid to look at the positives thaht have come out of the negatives. I think there is always somemthing positive to take from a negative situtation. At the same time, the negative situations help mold you and help you grow to learn. I know its off topic but I'm juss glad my boss is good mood guy yay!
SPECIAL: One of the kids was real happy today at work. My coworker made him this batman costume out of construction paper. I told him to pose and so he did as you can see in the picture above. He's a special ed kid so I think it really made his day cuz he was wearing it the whole time. Its stuff like that totally counts, I know most of these kids cant afford to go out and get the imitation costume so when they get something similiar to it they cherish it. Even though I have the most difficult times at work by the end of the day, they still manage to put a smile on my face. I was sharing w/gail online tonite bout our work stories. She's an enrichment counselor for inner city at risk youf in westwood. The thing is though her kids arent really 'at risk.' Probably the only at risk bout them is loosing money ha. One of her kids took her tae and wrote all over the girls bafroom w/it. Agh! how I'd hate ot have to clean that crap up. Sick! Im glad I dont work w/kids like that. I dont think I could handle that kind of mess.
PAIN: Imagine that you are standing directly in front of a huge painting. When something knocks you back, you feel the pain but you end up seeing more of the picture. Sometimes you need to be driven into the ground to realize what you have. Take pain for what it is...temporary. It's a condition that we get caught into and find a way out of. Either pity yourself and remain stationary or take a step back and use the experience to make yourself a better person. Choose wisely...
REST IN PEACE: I had borrowed from my coworker tonite, tupacs greatest hits cd. Tupac is d0pe cuz his song are expressional. He shares his own personal experiences not for pity, but for people to try and get a glimpse of his world. Anyway, I was kinda taken back from that song 'life goes on.' I think in the song he talks a specific person that he was real close with. He talks bout the things they use to do; even though all he has left are the memories, life goes on. YOu get in trouble, you loose friends, people die but you cant sit and mourn forever, life goes on.
COFFEE NITE: This past summer we've been using tues. nites as 'recleader' nite, chillin w/them, getting to know each other better etc. Most of them were so busy during the work hours that the only real convo we get in is 'hi.' So its fun to do things outside of work environment, to joke around, laugh till it hurts, juss have a grand ol time. One of my other coworkers finally went w/us tonite. Ive been trying to get her to go chill w/us since the end of last month. The thing is that after work she's so impossible to get a hold of, she doesnt pick up the phone for anyone. Anyway, so we all went to starbucks tonite and we had a real cool time.
HAPPY BIRFDAY: Happy birfday to jerel, one of my students who turns 16 today! Wow I remember wha it was like to turn 16. I had a small backyard party when I had turned 16 all my SLA peeps were there to help celebrate. This past year, I've gotten a chance to get to know this kid better. He's the reason why we had praise & worship in our class every week. The talent he has on the geetar is juss incredible. The spirit really was working through him this past year. He told me he was getting his licsence and that he can drive wherever he wanted w/o anyone in the car w/him. I dont even know what the law is for minors driving anymore. I know the feeling though of not having to worry to get rides from peeps. To be able to get yourself from point a to point b was an accomplishment. ANyway happy 16 candles jerel! haha
"Screamin thug life until I die..." im done, im out God bless
Tuesday, July 19
A Day In A Life...
"Througout your life, there will be a lot of opportunities that come up, but you have to walk away, and at times it will be difficult to do so because you deserve better..."
WORK: For those who are curious as to why my days are so draining, let me share with you a day in the life of me at work. Today was a pretty cool day at work though, real chill at least for the most part. Pray for my director, he went to cancun mexico on wed. we dont even know if he's back yet. Then I had drama w/some of the older kids, they think theyre so freakin hard, but when push comes to shove...ha theyre nothing. So anyway, take a walk in my shoes in what I do work errday.
THE BUILDING: This is the center where I work at. It use to be a pre school center, but the city bought out the property w/a vision of turning into a community center or park. Its getting demolished sometime this fall. I have to put up a stupid sign each day advertising my program, and errweek another poster with the theme for that particular week. It has a big US cuz the place use to be call US pre school, now its juss called fern street center. Its all boarded up cuz they broke into the big building wehre the office and kitchen was and vandalized it. Oh yeah, so after I opeen up the center, in the parking lot is where I set up caroom boards and this portable basketball court.
THE MAIN BUILDING: To the right is the courtyard garden its like in the center of all the modules. There's 4 different modules in the center, 2 connect on one side but the other rooms on the other side dont. The orange door is where the kids go inside and do games, arts & crafts etc. etc. Its all boarded up cuz some kid(s) broke in and thrashed the whole place. Before I use to have 1 whole module open but cuz of the vandalism they boarded errthang up. Now I only use one portion of the module. As you can see in the middle of the courtyard, theres a huge tree that gives shade. Thas the tree the kids love to hang on when they go outside, and they always step in the courtyard flower garden! I hate that!
INSIDE: THis is the center of my center where I do all my programming. There's a fooseeball table, a sink, and bathroom to the left. The place looks clean cuz I had juss cleaned after all the kids had already left for hte day. We leave the walls bare cuz we dont want to risk vandalism inside the center again. So we juss put up the kids art work that they make. On the right is the art table and behind is ithe art & crafts rollaway. This is the table where the kids make their prorjects, all the arts supplies are in that rollaway. Doesnt look too bad iniside huh? ALl the room are the same exact way, except we only use one of them. The other room that connects is juss the movie room on wed. and the 'i need a break' room cuz I turn on the air and leave it on till we go. The room ends up getting to be really cold, iti feels nice during the heat.
THE BACKYARD: THis is the backyard as we like to call it at fern. The playground equipment looks good from far away, but its so ugly up close. THough the kids never the less love playing on it though. The back by that tree is where they love to play soccer or on the side of the modules. We come out here in teh afternoons to do our outdoor activities. Theres more grass area to the right, thas where we play softball. As you can see its a pretty big piece of property you can do a lot w/it. This is where we have our waterfights too during hot days like these past few weeks.
A GLIMPE: Below youll find out exactly wha the kids do all the day. How im constantly chasing after them, picking thngs up for them, and putting up w/their OA attitudes. Oh yeah, also keep in mind the neighborhood I work at is a real low income area.
COMPLETE: So there you have it, a small glimpse of how my afternoon runs. Now when I talk bout work, you ahve an idea of wha Im saying. Even though I have some rough times, I still enjoy these kids. They make me laugh at some of the things they do. Its truly one of those places where community is mos def needed. These kids come in looking for somethin to do, and Im glad the center can be some type of safe haven where they can look forward to coming to. I can only imagine the stories they'll share w/their kids bout us and the center when they get older.
"This is the place where you belong, right here in my arms..."im done, im out God bless!
Monday, July 18
10,000 Miles
"Let your life change the world one person at a time..."
THE WEEKEND: I feel like I was all over the place this weekend. In fact I had to gas up my car freakin twice, cuz all that driving killed my gas! Two full tanks in one weekend, and I didnt even go to vegas or anywhere far! Its like I drove 10,000 miles from one place to another, to the other place, to this place w/o even getting rest. From one freeway to another freeway, to one street to the other. I did my best to make it all the different things going on, sometimes it juss isnt possible to be everywhere, and do everything in one day. Like I said previously, I think if there was one super power Id want to have, it would have to be teleportation...man can you imagine how much $$ I'd save on gas a week! Wow!
FR. PAUL VISIT: So I spent the day w/fr. paul on friday, drove to hb at his new parish, st. vincent de paul. As much as he misses errone, he's got it nice over there. In fact, he has so good there, he wouldnt want to leave. We went to main street and had lunch at wahoo's fish tacos, good food, its been a while since I went there. Took our time and then walked off the food on the pier and the beach area. He's so funny once he gets into a joke, he totally plays it out till its dead. ha Its okay though cuz its fr. paul. Oh yeah, saw fr. kevin too, while he was eating lunch at the rectory. He looks more relaxed, in fact he said he's been feelin good since july 1st.
THE LIFE: Fr. paul took me on a tour of the parish. Totally high tech over there, wireless mics, touch screen lighting system, clear confessionals, blessed sacarment chapel...nice place. Went to the rectory and its 10x better then the one at sPv. They have a patio as well as a pool in the backyard of the rectory! On top of that their rooms are hardcore, its like a time share. A small living room and bathroom inside their bedrooms! Crazy huh! I shouldve taken pictures for show and tell. After lunch he had to do an annointing of the sick run at the hospital, so I drove him over there to do that...Ive never seen that sacarment take place. I was getting this weird/scary feeling being the ICU room. Went back to his office and showed him how to use msn messenger, in fact I added myself to his msn ha so when I got home he all IMed me right away. Ha it was funny talking to a priest on MSN.
THE FURR AGAIN: Went back to the fair with caroline, liz, felipe, and his family. I ran into one of my students there! ha! When do I not run into one of my kids!? Walked around, played some of the games, well I only did the fish in a bowl one. The older people who work at the fair are so gross, well they give me the creeps. Not to judge, but they look like those people who you'd see on america's most wanted or something. On top of that, the older people like to rip you off on the games. For example, I was playing one of the games and they tried to rip me off two balls! Then felipe's cousin was getting hassled after he won the skeeball game. They're so shady over there, thas why I dont like playing them games. Id hate to work there though, standing in the heat all day long ehhh! Fair food is always good though, I'm giving up ono the whole diet thing until I join 24 hrs. So for now its a free for all babeh! haha Oh yeah, I wanted to go check out the animal farm, but it was closed by the time we got to it! The only shot I was able to get was the heifers! Talk bout steak...mmm haha!
REIRICH'S SUPRISE PARTY: I was debating on the way home whether to go to reirich's suprise party shingdig. Well, after contemplating it on the way back from costa mesa, I decided to juss go. Here I was thinking its gonna be a small party and such, then when I pulled up I saw all these cars in the street. I walked up to door and rang twice but no one answered. So I checked to see if the door was unlocked...ha it sure was. I made my way in and I heard music playing as if there was a dj, then I walked outside and there was a massive amount of people there! Whoa so much for a small party! ha Ended up staying for a couple hours, watching them play poker. Chatted a bit w/tita nancy, she's funny she was like 'I heard youre not part of the other group no more.' I was like 'no tita, were at holy family now blah blah blah...' then she goes 'oh so you dont see reirich anymore huh?' haha
HOUSESITTING: On top of errthang else going on, I was driving back and forth feeding my bosses dogs in irvine. It wouldve seemed easier to juss spend the nite, but I didnt feel like it. I didnt really want to do it but I kinda felt obliged to, since it was my boss and all. On top of that its good politics for me at least. He also pays me too so having the extra cash is always nice. Its always nice to get away for a little bit...like a minivacation or something, only I get bored and lonely after a while cuz I need someone to talk to.
BIG BROTHER PROGRAM: It felt so nice to sleep in on saturday, slept in till bout 10am. I usually dont sleep in during the weekdays, so I felt refreshed waking up a little later then usual. Went to feed the dogs, then came back and juss chilled for majority of the afternoon. Took one of my kids out and we went shopping at main place mall. Found out bout catalina prices, that california center is pretty resourceful inside the mall. Passing by the a & f store, brought back memories from winter break. I really wonder why God didnt allow it to work out. Anyway, we both came home empty handed. Went back to his house and had dinner there. His mom told him to have me stay cuz she was making ko-re-an bbq. Yum! So I stayed and ate dinner there. I love his mom cuz she always is so nice to me when I go there. Watched the dave chappelle show w/him for a while, before leaving to go to downtown la.
DOWNTOWN: I didnt want to go to jei's birfday thing alone but there was no one to really go with. Also, I didnt think it was going to be so difficult trying to find the stupid place. Well I got lost trying to find the place. Driving around for an hour all over downtown LA, getting all mixed up. At one point I was all the way by the cathedral of our Lady of Angels. I was feeling all these mixed emotions, paranoia, nervousness, fear cuz it was getting dark and I had no clue where I was going. Then a lot of the streets are one way streets too, so you cant make a u-turn. Finally, I decided juss to go home and to give up. Its not worth taking anymore of a risk to find the place. Some of the streets I was going through were real dark and real poor...it doesnt mix well w/me. Then I had the hardest time looking for the stupid freeway!!! Agh! Though I made it, on the way back I stopped by Savio and visited the chapel there. I felt relaxed after that all the driving wore me out.
TOO MANY THINGS: Sunday, there was juss too many things going on. At first I thought Id be able to handle it all but it was juss impossible. Jennifer's surpise party, my parents annniversary, lft meeting, going to feed the dogs, mass having to fit all that in one day. I had to give up something, so I gave up the lft meeting. I figured I'll catch up later on, my body cant take all that driving ha I guess I am getting old. Slowing down...or maybe its juss my weight holding me down ha Anyway, great day today was a lot of running around but it was fun none the less.
FIRST THINGS FIRST: I woke up not as early as I wanted but, early enough. Drove to irvine to feed the dogs and take care of the house one last time. I felt bad cuz I could tell the bigger dog wanted to juss chill inside. I didnt pay as much attention to them as I did last month when I housesitted. The past few days I was there all I did was feed the dogs, get the mail, and leave. Came home picked up tables and chairs to load up and drop off at cpe. Help set up the party a little bit, then left to go make it to 1215pm mass at sPv. These new diocesian priests have great homilies, well theyre deep. Its kinda hard to follow it at first, maybe cuz I'm not use it, but it all later on connects w/one another. At the same time I think its still taking time to getting use to them being at the parish.
SUPRISE: After mass picked up more chairs at home, and ice then went to the park. Chie was totally suprised and had no clue what was going on. There was a good 'neopolitan' mix at the party, sPv family, hOw family, holy family, real family. It was cool catching up w/micah, never really talked to her talked to her until the whole switch holy fam. Peebs told me auntie currie, actually thought I was older then jennifer thas a trip! ha Great convos and jokes and pictures galore. Archie and I shared w/each other how we hate it when mlb takes over 360 on the weekdays. It totally sucks, I make sure to get off right when I'm suppose to so I can get home in time to watch 360. Then stupid baseball comes on runining my 530pm show agH! I love my new camera its freakin tight!
CHILD LIKE: Jesus calls us to be child like and that's exactly what we did today at the park! yay! for good times!
FINDING A GOOD ONE: There's two older filipina ladies at work, they come in for the senior nutrition. I make it an effort errday to go and kiss them hello. I call them 'lola' haha, anyway so one of the lolas was telling me that I need to find a filipina wife. This way she'll be able to cook and clean and help out w/the chores around the house. She cautioned not to find an american girl cuz accordingn to lola, all they'll do is sit around and be lazy. Ha So I told them jokingly they need to find me a wife. So the other lola how I could find one in the pi haha
I found this little thing off of my cousins xanga, I thought it was pretty interesting
BE REAL: what are posers, fakers, people who talk the talk, but dont walk the walk, what ARE real people?? so if you ask me, we all had to be fakers or posers at some time or another. as individuals we are constantly evolving into the next form, waiting for that next set of relationships that we encounter within different types of groups. but its funny if you ask me, for all the people on myspace, who say, i wanna meet this person or that person, and finally, you message them asking them about themselves, and you get no reply, why they hate to meet people that they dont know, whats not in their little circle of friends already. but that's what i thought myspace was, meet people you dont know, and re-meet the people that youve known or know already. funny how hypocrisy runs around on this website. so whats worse, people say that they hate to meet fakers or posers, they wanna meet the real people. hahahaha...so what are real people as opposed to fake people. i think peoples need to clarify that in terms stating " i want to meet people who already have their sense of identity and are unwilling to change that no matter what " because if you really think about it, every day we are all changing from this to that, from that to this. say one day you lose all your money, well, im sure youd be quite a different person.
CASE & POINT: case in point, dont act like you hate these kinds of people, because at one point in time we are exactly what we say we hate, just that. at some point in time we all had to switch from one personality or identity to another, because if we didn't we wouldn't know who we are, we wouldn't have that sense of identity, the identity of self, and who exactly that self is.
so get it straight people.
MISSING: I talked to alaine tonite, aww I miss her. She's been calling me at least once a week sharing all the exciting things she's been doing. I told her bring me back a quicksilver jersey shirt. I miss my friends when they go on vacations or trips, like when burr and boss lady are gone. Its fun when the friends come back though cuz they have thousands of pictures and stories to share. Anyway, during my busy weekend I managed to fly over there and take a quick snap shot of wha shes been up to.
"But nobody said it would hurt so bad..."im done, im out God bless!
