Changes

Awhile back I had spoken of my goals, ambitions, and most importantly, beginning my career. So here we are now, about to begin the month of July, and things have changed. This fall I will be heading down a new path in life...one that will give me the opportunity to help people, one that will help me earn a reputable name for myself, and one that will be my career...not as a man with an English degree, but as a firefighter. I start this Fall at Rio Hondo Community College, where I will be taking the 5 core firetech classes. Once I complete this, it's time for the Academy. And mark my word, I will be graduating as head-of-my-class. So you're probably wondering what will become of my "English degree." Well, I'm certainly not going to abandon it. I have come way too far and spent too many hours behind a desk to simply give up. Once I have earned the title "FIREFIGHTER," I will finish the race and graduate with an English degree. Keep me in your prayers and pray that this new direction in life will lead to success and well-being for me. Salud!

The Devil in Disguise

The other day a girlfriend of mine asked me if I knew who Joseph Kony was. Not knowing who or what he is about, today I researched this man from Ugandi and decided to forward this sad and heartbreaking story to you. It hurts to even consider Josephy Kony a human being. As human beings we are created with a sense of morality that is built upon a foundation of rules or beliefs. Many of these rules and beliefs are an exact acknowledgment of the rules provided by God through His Ten Commandments. Josephy Kony not only adhered to these Commandments as a young altar-boy and well into adulthood, but he allowed his mind and body to become severely warped and entangled with hell-bent intentions. His intentions you ask? To overthrow the Ugandi government and reform it in the name of Christ, under a theocracy built upon the Ten Commandments. As difficult as it is to write, it was even more difficult to read about how this sick and demented person carries out his 'holy work'; he kidnaps children. Yes--children. Then he uses them to fill the ranks of his coalition, aka the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The sadistic and heartwrenching acts these children are made to endure and carryout will not only take your breath away, but will bring tears to your eyes as it did mine. It has been estimated that over 20,000 children have been abducted in Uganda by Kony and his affiliates. As part of their initiation, this fiend from hell forces his new recruits to slaughter their parents in order that the LRA will become their new family and home. Those few that resist are mutilated and force-fed their own bodyparts--noses, ears, lips, whatever can be slashed. Then they are left for dead. I wish the torment ended here...In the face of battle, the young boys are used as guinea pigs, placed at the forefront of the lines. I'll let you decide their outcome, it is too difficult and painful to express in written form. In the event of a loss, Kony uses the young girls whom they deem the most beautiful, to satisfy the lust of their enemy and within their own eyes as well. "Guided and protected by the Ten Commandments", is what Kony brainwashes his army of adolescents with. These poor and helpless children are sent to battle with nothing but the clothes that barely cover their backs. Kony draws a cross made of oil on their bony chests, telling them that this is their new shield--a shield that will deflect any bullet or fatal wound. I would like to draw my own shield on Kony's chest and see if it has the power to deflect a metal slug as he says it will.
In an attempt to explain Kony's behavior and malicious acts, it is assumed that he is possesed by demons. Kony has told reporters that he speaks with angels...eight of them to be exact: three American, two Sudanese, two Chinese, and one Congolese. Maybe this is the reason why the Uganda government has only offered $11,000 for information leading up to his arrest. Maybe they feel that the 20,000+ children who have been martyred and used as sex objects are only worth .55 cents a head. I would hope not.
It sickens me, as I hope it does you, to know that there are people in this world abusing the children that will become our future, especially those that do so in the name of God. If Kony is fighting in the name of God as he says he is, he would be fighting with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, not sending God's sheep to the slaughterhouse. Whether Kony is captured and prosecuted or not, when he stands before God on Judgment Day, the only reward he will be given is a one-way-ticket to hell. Before his day of justice arrives however, all of us need to unite in order to create one single voice that will not just help the children of Uganda, but help bring an end to the ongoing turmoil plaguing the streets of Uganda. If you are interested in making a difference then please, visit the following link: www.unight.org

51/50

Sometime ago I spoke of a loved one who was being victimized by his own rage. Unfortunately, there is more to this story now. Previously, I had spoken of the frustration in not being able to help. Even more, I had related the hurt you feel watching that loved one sinking deeper and deeper in a hole that only gets deeper itself. Today, that same person is in the hospital awaiting a psychiatric evaluation. a 51/50 is how they phrased--"a threat to himself." And reason? Alcohol, Depression, and a little something the pharmacy calls Tramadol. For those of you unfamiliar with this drug, Tramadol comes in pill form and to say the least, is more addictive than Heroin. If I remember correctly, the nurse said that Methamphetamene is the only known drug posing a greater health risk and overall life-threatening to the user. When combing the two ingredients, Tramadol and alcohol, severe depression is the end result. What's worse though, is how quickly users can become addicted. If people are willing to trade 8 minutes of their life for a quick nicotine fix, can you fathom what they would do to pop a Tramadol pill? A pill that is by far, a hundred times worse than a cigarette? This pill, as tiny as it may be, can kill you just by withdrawl symptoms alone. It has been documented that a new technique has been used to try and rehabilitate abusers. Doctors render the patient unconscious and administer medication to help balance the horrors felt and experienced from 'a come down.' Now please, ask yourself why this drug is prescribed. Why are pharmacies so eager and so quick to hand this drug to outstretched hands? If a nurse, not a doctor, but a nurse, is aware of the dangers this drug possesses, is it because of gross negligence that doctors prescribe it? Doctor's prescribing Tramadol should at least advise their patient that the pill they are swallowing is going to eventually lead them to a 51/50.
It's only fair though, that part of the responsibility also fall upon the person stuffing the pills down their throat. As hard as it may be to realize that with each swallow they are only hurting themself, total awareness and the ability to differentiate between what is life-threatening and what not, is not completely blurred out by the physical enjoyment felt from taking Tramadol. Ultimately, the decision is theirs to make. You can tell a person an infinite amount of times to please stop, but in the end they are the one who will make the decision, not you. So how do you overcome this? How do you prevent someone who is slowly but surely killing themself by taking a drug that is readily and legally available? Therein lies my sad and increasingly frustrating situation. There's more to this unpleasant story, but please, pray there is a happy ending to it all. God be with you and my brother.

Homeschool or Public School?

Elementary, Junior High and High school are three stages that promote social development, help establish behavior, and in turn become the stepping-stones in a child's future. For most adolescents, the impact of a public education helped in molding their life the way it is now. Adolescents not only learn how to intertwine themselves with the world around them, but character development and the base of their knowledge is formed as they progress through the school grades. So what of the small population of children who are not enrolled in a public school and try to learn these essentials through home-school?

Unlike most former students, my education began at home. Yes, I was homeschooled until my Freshman year in high school. When asked to elaborate on the differences between homeschool and public school, I find it extremely difficult to find a starting point. The line existing between the two is unimaginably wide and extensive. I applaud my mother for her effort in teaching me along with my other three siblings, but there is only so much a child can learn from within four walls. Aside from receiving one-on-one teaching day in and day out, my knowledge of the world ended there. Having the chance now to reflect upon those years of my life, I was more or less living inside of an imaginary bubble, sheltered from the rest of the world. My social interaction was limited to my family and the small group of thirty or forty other children that formed our homeschool group, Cypress Branch Christian School. I was trapped amongst a circle of friends that provided me no room to expand my social skills, talents, etc. I hear other adults my age reminiscing about their numerous life experiences growing up in the public school system, and feel as though I missed out on an important part of life. Although homeschool educated my mind to a certain degree, it left me naive and under-developed entering the next portion of my life, High school.

Literally, high school taught me what homeschool could not. Developing my social skills, personal confidence, were areas of my life that homeschool would never have been able to accomodate the way public school did. By entering highschool my eyes were opened and I was able to fore go the bubble I had been living in and expand my horizons in every direction...

In lieu of the roadblocks I had to overcome in my transition from homeschool to public school, it is entirely up to you on how you want to educate your child. However, take a minute to consider the vantage point through your child's eyes. Remember all of the memories that public-schooling imparted upon you. Look to the many friends that public school has brought you. Most importantly, look at what you have become and the success you have obtained from public schooling. Now ask yourself, "homeschool or public school?"

Personal Thought

Anger is an emotion that we have all struggled with at one point or another in our lives. Some have found an escape to their raging alter-ego while others let the demon inside them run amok. If you've ever been around someone while they are possessed by anger, then you will agree that their overall behavior is simply intoxicating and unbearable. The other day my friend sent me a text message stating that he had anger issues. I've known this for quite some time now but have yet to figure out how to help. In many cases, alcohol, drugs, a rapidly diminishing lifestyle, or whatever aids in fueling the rage within a person. But what if the rage exists underneath all of this? How do you help someone when they are transfixed with an inherent rage? Trying to assist someone under these circumstances is like tampering with a timed bomb. Touch a wrong wire and KABOOM! It sounds like an understatement to say it is difficult to watch a loved one be consumed with so much anger while you try and help to no avail. You almost wish for just a moment that you could dive deep into their soul and silence their unremittent rage. But you can't, sad to say. Sure, there's anger management classes to take, psychologists and counselors to see, but none of this matters when the person is unwilling to seek outside help. I guess the only thing you can do is pray and know that things will get better.

“The anger of a good man lasts an instant; that of a meddler two hours; that of a base man a day and a night; and that of a great sinner until death.”

Helping You Become Addicted

There are many things in life that you can become addicted to. Cigarettes, sex, prescription medications, drugs, alcohol, you name it and there will be an addiction to it. Have you ever wondered how a person chooses which one to become addicted to? Is it ease of addiction? Is it availability? Maybe it's cost? Whatever it may be, the process of choosing an addiction that will promote a healthier and more enriched lifestyle, should never be difficult. If you're one of the few who ARE having a hard time deciding on an addiction, you have come to the right place. So, relax. Kick off your shoes and let's talk about the easiest way to become addicted to nicotine. Be warned however, by the end of this discussion you'll be itching to re-lace your shoes to go and have your first drag.
Let us start at the beginning, "why cigarettes"? Cigarettes contain a substance known as nicotine, the very substance that your body needs in order to operate at maximum efficiency. Think of nicotine as food for your body. The more you feed it, the healthier and more dependent you will become. Remember, the goal here is to promote dependancy. The more dependant your body and mind become on nicotine, the easier you will become addicted. It has been reported that nicotine is the next best thing to sugar, in the sense that it is the hardest habit to kick. Luckily for you, we have an amazing tobacco industry that ensures your addiction to nicotine. They have created for YOU, the easiest way to upload nicotine into your system, cigarettes.
Now that you understand why you need a cigarette, the next step is easy: getting one. Cigarettes are offered nearly everywhere you go--the market, liquor stores, gas stations, random strangers, on the ground, etc., so finding one is not going to be hard. However, the best place to pickup your first pack is the liquor store, as there is one on nearly every corner. When you enter the liquor store and gaze at all the varieties of cigarettes, try not to get lost in the many possibilites. Yes, they will all help you reach addiction, but just as a baby learns how to walk by crawling, you must also follow similar procedures. Once more, thanks to the tobacco industry, they have broken down this process and made it easy for you. Basically, there are three stages: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Applying these stages to cigarettes, you have lights, mediums and reds. The difference between the three is the level of nicotine. Remember, your body needs nicotine, so the faster you reach stage three the better off you will be. As you progress to reds, you might notice that your trips to the liquor store are becoming more frequent. If so, consider purchasing a carton of smokes rather than a pack. You will find this transition more cost effective and less detrimental to your gas tank and wallet.
Congratulations! Now you know why you need nicotine, where to get it, and how to start! Please, don't waste anymore time contemplating going to the store to make a purchase. Time is only getting shorter for you, so don't waste it! Buy a pack!


Note:
• SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, and May Complicate Pregnancy.
• SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health.
• SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking by Pregnant Women May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, and Low Birth Weight.
• SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide.

Farewell

Those of you reading this who may or may not know me, this article is your first glimpse into my personal life. For the past year and a half now I have been employed at the Sheraton of Cerritos, working full-time as a waiter in the Grille 91 restaurant (named after the 91 freeway). Life as a waiter was tough at times, requiring unlimited patience, the ability to multi-task at almost unbearable levels, and most importantly, the desire to serve customers a full plate of satisfaction and enjoyment. It may sound distasteful, the job as a waiter, but don't be fooled. The pros of meeting new and interesting people from around the world completely outweights the cons.
As my employment at the Sheraton grew from weeks, to months, to a year, to more than a year, it was hard not to consider the workplace like a second home. Now that I think about it, I probably spent more time there than I did at my house. Day in and day out, I would see the usual faces, faces that also became part of my second family. Our slogan for the hotel was "warm, comforting connections." All of us, including the guests, shared these feelings. We are all one big happy family here at the Sheraton of Cerritos. This realization, I believe, is what makes it difficult to say goodbye. Saying goodbye is never an easy task, especially when so many friendships have been established. However, sometimes it is necessary to say goodbye in order to say hello; closing one door usually opens many more. I have the entire world at my fingertips, and by leaving the Sheraton of Cerritos behind me, I will begin writing a new chapter in my life. So farewell my Sheraton friends: Shasta, Alfredo, Javier, Apple, Teggy, Ramon, Milkana, Pablo, Sergio, Juanito, Carlos, Victor, Conchita, Celena, Rose, Blake, Salesh, Sally, Irene, Yesenia, Rachel, Francis, Ryan, Travis, Tristan, Johnny, Barbara, Martha, Toni, Lupe, Victor (bellman), Vanessa, Amanda, Robert, Baltazar, Pedro, Bertha, Sam, Eduardo, Juan, Patti, Antonio (cook), Antonio (engineer), Rudy, Henry, Patrick, James, Bill, and Eilene; may life continue to bless all of you. Adieu.

>>>>tomorrow's topic: cigarettes

A Good Investment

For those of you who enjoy reading and who seek to expand your knowledge and wisdom, I implore you to invest in, quite frankly, the next best book to the Holy Bible: "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. If you find yourself travelling down the wrong path in life, searching aimlessly for success and good fortune, then let The Secret be your guide. In all seriousness, this book will open your mind to the idea that your life can be operated much like that of a television set; with the power of your mind, you have the ability to change the picture anytime you want. The Secret is compiled of knowledge that has been traced back centuries ago, practiced by philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and even Einstein himself! A trip to the bookstore with twenty-five dollars in your wallet is a small price to pay for knowledge that will teach you how to obtain anything in life you want. Take the time for just a moment, and consider why it is that much of the world's wealth is earned by such a small percentile of individuals...Whether you choose to believe this or not, some of the people included in that 'small percentile' have earned their success through reading The Secret. So go now and make a bold step toward your future. Invest your money in a worthwhile investment. Learn what The Secret has to teach so that you will one day achieve more than you thought was possible.

>>>>tomorrow's topic: my employment at the Sheraton of Cerritos

Reflection

With the passing of 2008 comes the birth of 2009. For many, including myself, the start of a new year marks the beginning of a fresh, new chapter in life; a chance to reflect on all that has occured in the past year, afterwards bringing the hope of improvement, hence the term "new year's resolution(s)."
2008 was definitely scarred with its ups and downs, certainly not one of my best years. I dug quite a few holes for myself, some deep holes to say the least. My education, my health, my future, are all suffering as a result of my sloth-like actions of 2008. I'm not going to delve any deeper into the details of my mistakes, because they are a thing of the past now. Yes, some of them have come to further haunt me in the new year of 2009, but I have accepted this and promised myself that I will become larger than the problem. My failures in 2008 will be my achievments for 2009.
In lieu of my 2008 hardships, '08 wasn't a complete let-down. Mid-way through the year, life was fortunate enough to bring me not only an insparation in life, but two individuals who have and always will be part of my second family--Randy and Rosemary Economy. Simply put, they were and still are two blessings in disguise. Having suffered a huge and devastating loss to their home, the Economies always wear a smile on their face; always cheerful at heart and a pleasure to be with. I look up to these amazing people and strive to overcome any and whatever hardship that I encounter, the way they have. Thank you Randy and Rosemary for instilling this hope and new-found motivation within me.
So here we are in 2009, a year that president-elect Obama has coined "the year of change." I agree with this slogan, as '09 will definitely be a year of change for me, both inside and out. By the end of the year I will have quit smoking, changed my living style, dropped bad habits, saved a considerable amount of money, dug myself out of the educational-hole I now lay in, and begun my calling in life. 2009 will not follow in the shadow of 2008. Life is too short not to be taken advantage of. Wasting time and allowing Life to pass you by should only be practiced if you wish to become a failure and a nobody. I am not a nobody and I will not be a failure. At the close of 2009 I will be shining.

>>>>tomorrow's topic: "The Secret," by Rhonda Byrne.