This is for the wary few who go out of their way to help
This is for the consummate select who are compassionate toward each other
This is for the nary a complainer or whiner but those who are enthusiastic about life
This is for the small group that bonded so quickly and became insomuch like a family that strands of communication go far and wide.
This is for the students of LA 26
Hey guys,
ReplyDeletewell I miss you all!!!
I will try and make it to all mr hsiao's fieldtrips. Well here is what's going on with me. As you guys know I'm part of the sociology club here at cerritos college. I'm hoping I can get the vice president position, I'll keep you posted. I am also trying to join the senate here at cerritos and just turned in my application for the scholars honors program. ...I'll keep you posted on that too. I'm also doing three fieldtrips on Sundays with the anthro club..I'll let you know about those too. My niece is turning one next month and were going to have a taquero (taco man ) and yes you are invited. ...I'll give you more info next week.
Howdy!!!
ReplyDeletehey people just stopping by to say hi!!
Sherry Larios
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Just Kidding!
Ha I'm going to miss that...
Well just wanted to post!!! I miss you guys!!!! Can't wait for saturday.
Mariana, you go girl! lol I'm very happy for you!
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI cant wait till Saturday, its been a whole week since I have seen any of you guys!!
The strangest feeling happened to me the beginning of this week. I do not start school until 2 weeks so everyday I go home after work and get a strong feeling that I should be somewhere or do something. SEE this is what happens when you take summer school! hehe
anyways I hope everyone say the email, im still wondering what everyone wants to drink.
People start naming your favorite drinks/beers!!!
:) woohoo its FRIDAY! I don't know about you guys, but I will be at a b-day party tonight at sage in uptown Whittier if you know the place come join in the fun!!
be safe and have a nice weekend everyone!!
Hey guys!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was really nice seen you again and coming for the gathering. Thanks so much for bring your portion. I hope you liked the carne asada and everything. As I mentioned to you before, this is the first time I have gotten so close to a class, so kudos for you.
Please give us your feed back so we can get better next time hosting.
Gabriel we missed you man, too bad you had to work.
Did everyone get back home ok?
Hi guys!!!
ReplyDeleteVitor me and Cassie made it home...=)
I really enjoyed the gathering and the cake so amazing. Thank you Mariana, it was a great idea. The meat and the rice were very yummy.
I really missed you guys and I wish i could have stayed longer but my dad kept calling me from TJ wanting me to go home. Since he's sick, I didnt want to upset him and raise his blood pressure.
I can't wait for the next time we meet!
Hey Everyone!
ReplyDeleteIt was really great seeing everyone last night! I was upset that i had to leave so soon! Sorry i did not get to see you Isela and Professor Hsiao. I really wanted to be there for the cake thing =( I am really glad that everyone enjoyed the cake, i hope it was yummylicious! Although it had only been one week since the last time we had seen each other, to me it seemed like ages. Weird huh? Victor i really enjoyed the food and would just like to say thank you for opening the doors to your house! your kids are amazing. I really hope to see everyone soon!
Guys! i go to halloween haunt and shipwreck and the universal thing during october so we should go...i can get you cheaper tickets!!!
im turning 25 on pearl harbor day so maybe we can get together and celebrate and lori mentioned a christmas gift exchange kinda thing..but thats like so far off huh?
well see you all later...take care and good luck with your education!
-mari-
You're searching...
For things that don't exist; I mean beginnings.
Ends and beginnings - there are no such things.
There are only middles.
~Robert Frost, Mountain Interval, "In the Home Stretch"
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. ~Flavia Weedn, Forever
Morning to all,
ReplyDelete~ Vic i did make it home safely. thank you for asking.
~ Mariana sucks that i missed you too. Sucks that I did not get to hang out with everyone but I was doing my share of "community service" that did not end until 2 in the morning. =/
Are we having mocha mondays once a month? is it going to weekly? biweekly? What would be a good time? sometime after 7?
GUESS WHAT!!! I SIGNED UP FOR NAMI WALK!!! ITS NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP!!! doing more advertising for u mariana =D IF NOT YOU GUYS SHOULD CONSIDER THE NEXT ONE IN OCT.
That is it for now. Hope to hear from you guys soon.
XoXooooXXxx (nacho libre)
Food...
ReplyDeleteWhy is it soo delicious and just hits the right spot at any particular moment? When your happy? when ur sad? Having lunch burger and a beer. =D its such a nice day today to be cooped up indoors. =(
Thanks sherry. Thanks isela for signing up!!!! You are going to get to meet my sick friend ( the one I talked about during my collage presentation) :) I have never done the NAMI walk so I am looking forward to it. Ha ha your food blog is comical. As for me, the food that never lets me down is coffee. It wakes me up when I need to be woken up and keeps me up when I need to stay up. .what a great bean!!!! waiting in the admissions line to get my parking permit which I was supposed to have received weeks ago. It's hot! !! I should visit Seattle. Victor my camera still won't work: (
ReplyDeleteMight need to get a new one
Congrats on the VP position Mariana!
ReplyDeleteIt could not have happened to a better person.
Keep sending out those strands of communication. . . it is nice.
Good work!
Thank you prof hsiao!
ReplyDeleteI will keep emailing the LA 26ers. I just received notice that the sociology club got their classroom approved so we will be holding our meetings in SS 313. I will email everyone when the meeting approaches.
So guys ...one question.
doesn't the LA 26 experience have certain similarities to the dead poets society?
Excuse my randomness but sometimes these thoughts infiltrate my brain and I must write them down or they are gone forever.
I like Dead Poet's Society!
ReplyDeleteIt is one of my favorites!
O Captain, My Captain
was the refrain!
Good one, Mariana!
It's a really Great Movie!
ReplyDelete=D
Howdy!!!
ReplyDeleteUpadate/Revised Birthday list!!!
> Sept- Gabriel 18th
> Oct- Isela 29 th
> November- 13th Prof. Hsiao Melissa 25th
> December-7th Mariana, 29th Victor
> February-Cassie 9th, Phillip 27th
> June-Sherry 6th Lori 15th,
Isela!
ReplyDeleteit looks like we will be busy celebrating birthdays all year long =)
i liked your COLORFUL BIRTHDAY LIST!!!
it looks like Mr Hsiao has created an ink revolution and we are ALL repeat offenders. ha ha
It's hot. Im melting!!!
Keep up the
ReplyDeleteColor Revolution
and celebrating Birthdays all year,
every month, is sublime!!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYay! everyday is a celebration with you guys!! You bring joy to my world. You fill me and give me hope in humanity.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the ink revolution goes I am a repeat offender..but then again I am always a part taker in revolutions, i stir the masses. One of the teachers at work calls me trouble. lol I don't know if its a curse or a gift to be able to speak my mind. Sometimes when am down and feel like not fighting anymore I repeat my mantra...it's not my own but i love it very much.. It is the quote at the end of this post.
I think we all go through our fights but sometimes there are situations or people that are there to challenge you ALL the time.
This quote is on a painting on at the h.s. were i work. Whenever i walk down this hallway and i look up it greets me. Letting me know I am there for a reason.
"It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees" -Emiliano Zapata
From the depth of my mind
ReplyDeletePost # 1
My invisible scars
This brings back memories. I enjoyed bloggin on the stories being late at night sitting in front of the computer just my thoughts and the keyboard. I did not know where else to write this and I really wanted get it off my chest. I know we all have them and I would like to share with you my scars, they are there to many they are invisible until I point them out but to me every blue moon are very visible.
Some of you guys have heard my car accident story so bear with me while I share with the others.
4 yrs ago I was in a bad car accident where I almost lost my life, luckily there was someone out there watching me to whom I thank for the miracle that I am still alive today. That year was horrible it seemed as though there was an omen for me, a curse. All my days and nights of darkness had caught up to me. A few months before the accident I was at work (as-a-hands on person that i am) i was playin soccer with the kids at an elementary school. I was going for the ball when a kid opposite direction crashed into me head on. I thought i had a busted lip I just shrugged it off but felt a bit nauseous and fell to the ground. I felt my face and lip throbbing. His forehead hit me from the nose down. My coworker and the kids thought i was playing but when they saw me fall they ran towards me. I rolled over when i tasted blood in my mouth. I spit blood and felt something was wrong with my mouth. I touched my teeth and they felt different. My whole face was covered in blood. I ran to the restroom and saw my front teeth were all out of place like in the cartoons when someone gets punched in the face and their teeth become like broken piano keys that is how mine were. My canine tooth had ruptured the side of my lip. I was rushed to the e.r. and was told I could lose my teeth. That there was very little they could do. My beautiful teeth. It was my pride and joy …my smile. That’s what i was known for…My Colgate smile and my deep dimples it was a perfect combination but no more. I no longer smiled. They stitched my upper lip. The next day my husband(bf at the time) told me his aunt was an asst for a dentist and that they could see me right away. I could not eat solid food for about a month. I had 6 root canals done, there was a possibility i might need veneers.I had to wear braces for almost a year. My teeth were no longer the same. I call them my fake teeth.
This happened in March. March Madness, not referring to basketball season, see if you know where that comes from. Hint it’s a line from one of Shakespeare's plays.
Post # 2
ReplyDeleteContinuation
In August I was on my way to school. Monday morning, beginning of the semester I did not want to go but I had to go because I was taking my first english class and a had group presentation. My step dad told me to be careful about the road I took because people are always speeding through there and cops like to hide and catch them. I always had a weird feeling about the road myself because its winding and lonely and thought if something happened nobody would be able to know. I was on my way to Long Beac h City College. I didnt drive on the freeway as much because i was still a new driver and i still had my learner's permit.
I was driving and was about to exit the curvy part of the road when i was hit head on by an suv. They had crossed the double lines and were in my lane. The only thing I thought to do was make a left because the street was like a bridge I was on the right lane. The street is Atlantic ave after alondra and before artesia. Underneath it is the canal. The impact was tremendous the suv was flipped over and my car had done a complete 180. So many thoughts racing through my head. I wasn’t sure if i was still on the road or on the canal. I tried to get out of my vehicle because i thought it was going to exploded. I couldnt remember what side the gas tank was on but i couldnt move. I thought I was paralyzed i could not move my body from the waist down. I could not take my seat belt off either. I was looking for my cell but it had fallen. I closed my eyes and started screaming. When I opened my eyes I saw a bunch of people. The people from the suv where getting out of their vehicle. I was a bit infuriated. Even though there suv had flipped over they were able to get out of their vehicle. One of the persons that came to help me was a lady she told me was a nurse she was in scrubs and she asked what she could do for me. I asked her to let me borrow her cell so that I could call my mom and if she could help me get my cell. I called my mom and told her I had just been in a car accident that the car would not start and my location. I told her I was fine. I am glad I was able to call her and have her hear my voice telling her I was fine even though I wasn’t. I always heard a joke but never understood it until that day “don’t wear your good clothes if you are in an accident and the ambulance has to get you.” I will explain why a bit later. Next I called my bf (husband now) but I first dialed the wrong number and was talking hysterical nonsense to a poor man when I finally caught my breath he told it was the wrong number. I apologized and hanged up. He called me back to ask if I was ok. I told him yes the paramedics were there already. They started askin me questions and apparently I was the only able to give them an accurate description of what had just occurred. I was not able to finish speaking to my bf the paramedics took my phone away. This was not good because I was only able to tell him my location and that I had been in an accident and I was losing my composure. I told him I had blood and glass all over. He rushed looking for me.
Post # 3
ReplyDeleteThe Aftermath
The adrenaline had stopped and the pain was kicking in. I looked down at my arm and it looked funny. Like a spaghetti noodle all floppy. The paramedics had to use the jaws of life to get me out of my car. They put me on a stretcher and was rushed to the e.r. This is where the joke comes in play…apparently they had to cut my clothes to look at my wounds. I was left in my underwear but that was the least of my worries I just wanted the pain to stop. I became very aware of all my senses I felt everything on that ride to the hospital all the bumps on the street, every turn. My mom got to the scene of the accident as I was being put on the stretcher they told her they were going to take me to Long Beach Memorial. My mom saw that horrible scene but told me later she was glad it was I that called her and not the hospital I could not have imagined nor do I want to her reaction. My mom does not like to drive that much if she does not have to now.
When I arrived at the hospital I only remember the white ceiling. The nurses and doctors asking me my name, that days date, my birthdate, etc. My curse was so immense the world felt it… hahahaha I am being cynical. It just so happens the day of my accident Hurricane Katrina happened as well August 29. That’s why I am sharing this story with you all. My rebirth anniversary was this weekend and it seems funny I happened to cut my foot the day before, making me immobile for a bit.I had already finished packing my bags. I was talking to Lori about having a drink with her out in Vegas. Yes, I was going to Vegas too. I was making so many plans an in instant I ran through the doorway to go outside because the dogs were barking there was a new screw sticking out on the doorway and I just happened to step on. I was barefoot the motion was quick it went in deep and then sideways slashing it. Here is this thought that has not gone away from my mind. Is it a reminder not to forget the date? I think its freak coincidence. Not to take the small things for granted? Things that made me me have found themselves with a scar. My smile, my face, my arm (my left arm is now an inch shorter than the right. It is also missing the little bridge thing in my wrist), my foot. That in an instant one can be on top of the world and the other at the bottom? Have you ever had the dream you were naked in front of people? I’ve just had the dream that I am running…always running. I did not have the naked dream but it happened to me. I was lying naked no gown just my flesh on the cold steel table for observation with nurses and doctors and interns all looking at me but I did not care for I was in immense pain. I had been denied the ability to eat food and have a drink of water for two days. All that I wanted the most was a cup of water instead I had the I.V. connected to my veins. It tasted so good when I was finally able to have a drink the first thing they gave me was a little cup of cranberry juice…delicious. The reason was that the doctor had not seen me in regards to my arm. They did not know if I would have to have surgery or if a cast would do to fix my arm. My wrist was shattered and my radius broken in two parts. The doctor snapped my hand with a weird device that seemed like an old medieval torture device. I know some of you are sensitive so I wont explain the procedure but if you are curious email me and I will explain.
Sorry for the super long post but I had to get that thought out of my head. Now I can get some sleep, hopefully.
Post # 4
ReplyDeleteI had to get out of bed for this, I was almost falling asleep but this other thought has been on my mind as well. I really really really appreciated the few that were able to make it fri to keep me company. I knew some could not make it but and its ok because you guys have shared with me your friendship. I am thankful for that. Like i said on friday it may be pathetic but now i have friends. You guys understand me for the most part. I can not express how I felt being showered with all the love. asking me if i was ok. I needed anything. Thank you guys. I finally have something to call my own. I am a people person i talk to many but very few are those that i can call friends. That was the difference between my previous accidents, of course there are people in my life i count on, but you guys have just reinforced my hope. Thanx once more.
Isela,
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave in recounting your trials and so
effervescent in your outlook with us.
It is a pleasure knowing you as a friend.
I am sorry I could not make it to the
get-together.
I took a nap, and when I woke up it was
midnight.
No late night redevezous this time. Ha ha.
I hope you are feeling better Isela!
Isela!
ReplyDeleteI read your blog postings and wanted to say "Thank You" for sharing that part of your life with us.
I too have a lot of people that surround me, however i do not let a lot of people in. You guys are really special to me! Whatever it was that i thought life had stripped me off i found it in you guys. There were parts of my heart that i thought were dead but when i met you guys i realized that i was wrong about death...those parts weren't dead they were just dormant and it would take the right people to bring them back to life. You guys filled the empty spaces of my heart. I can feel it beating loudly.I feel a deep connection to everyone in our class.
The class to me was like a mirror..it caused me to evaluate my life and take a really good look in the mirror. The class wears an intimidating mask that reads...ENGLISH 103..but in reality it is a life class..at least to me that's what it was.
I've stopped thinking of LA26 in a logical manner. it is such an impossible task. I think back to how burned out i was of just working and then i remember my cousin telling me" you can still register for the second summer session" I picked a class that fit my work schedule with a teachers name i could not pronounce...and that has made all the difference.
What if i had taken this class earlier in my life? I don't even like thinking about that possibility. Some questions are better left unanswered.
Isela i always look forward to your "joke of the day".
I just want to say that I am glad you are here today Isela. What would my quote of the week be without your joke of the day? it would be nothing. you are twyla and i am Roberta. My quote would not exist without your joke of the day. it would have no purpose, no meaning!
plus, who would be my partner in color crime? who would abuse the colors of the rainbow and plaster them on an email for the world to see???
Who would respond to my emails and keep the class alive? Who would be a repeat offender in this revolution Mr Hsiao began? And if we ever get caught we can always blame it on Prof Hsiao for he is the mastermind. If we ever ended behind bars you could keep the prisoners entertained with your jokes and i could document our time together with photographs or tell them how beautiful the world is and how there is more to life than those four walls!
I have not been on becuase I am working now and everything is blocked at my school site. Reading all the updates has warmed my heart.
ReplyDeleteIsela, I love reading your toughts, becuase they are so genuine. Mariana you are hilarious and so insightful. Both of you are strong, beautiful women that I look up to as role models and inspiration.
Recently, since I started school I began spending time with my sorority sisters. Hanging out with them is not the same as spending time with you guys, my LA26ers. Do not get me wrong I love my fellow pinguinas but I feel like I have changed so much this past summer. We went to go have sushi last sunday, and I remember one of the girls asking me where I have been and why I hadn't been around. All I could answer was that I was really into school and although I took english, all the readings and lectures inspired me. Of course the conversation changed to relatonship and arguments with their boyfriends. I found myself not having anything to contribute to the conversation. Well I did talk about "A pebble in your pocket" and how I owuld make copies for them to read. I am not sure if I felt silly that for once I had nothing childish to conrtibute, on how boys are jerks. Or if I felt proud of my knowledge and my feelings towards the opposite sex.
I know I am rambeling, so I will stop now.
Thank you for helping me in supporting my little sister this morning. And even if you did not make it out, the calls and txt when appreciated. Once again, you guys are amazing.
To My Kindred Spirit
ReplyDeleteby Todd-Michael St. Pierre
We share secrets, we laugh and even cry,
We have so much in common,
Concerns, likes and dislikes.
Ours is a relationship joined by
Tender velvet chains that link our
similar dreams of life and love.
A gentle intuition guides us in our
individual struggles to succeed
at the things we pursue, to stand
out from the crowd.
In you I have found so much of myself,
Including many of the same
Insecurities and philosophies.
Complete inner-peace and happiness,
These are the things I wish for you,
in the present and in the future
because you are my kindred spirit.
Prof. Hsiao's ITINERARY
ReplyDeleteFriday September 18th Grammy Museum
Saturday September 26th NAMI walk
Huntington/ Newport Beach~
Saturday October 10th Second Harvest/Food Drive
Friday October 16th Getty Villa
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18TH AIDS WALK-ASK MARIANA!!!
Friday October 30th Isaiah House (serving the homeless)
Saturday November 7th Hogan Horse Ranch
Saturday November 21st Getty Center
Saturday December 5th Bolsa Chica Wetlands
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5th @ NIGHT. PARTY @ MARIANA"S HOUSE.
Melissa Alcaraz wrote:
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Guys,
Today, I had the worst morning. I would blog about it, but blogger is blocked at my school site.
I was on my way to work and I stopped to pump gas in my car. I came in from the left hand side of the station, I waited for a car to leave and made my way to the opposite side of the station. I had made my way to an empty gas pump, My car was already there when a car came and tried to cut me off. At this point the lady came up to my car window telling me I had to move. I told her I wouldnt move. Then she flashed her badge at me...I was in shocked. This lady falshed her badge and told me I had to move because she had the authority. Then she went inside to pay for the station. I refused to move, I told her nicely that what she was doing was rude. Her response was "I dont care if Im rude you need to move" and she kept saying "Do you know who I am?" over and over again flashing her badge. I was so upset, but I didnt want to lash out. I could feel the tears running down my face and my hands shaking, I refused to move. She threatened me to call the police. At this point I wanted the police to come, what she was doing was wrong. Finally, she gave up, got he rmoney back and moved. She moved to the pump next to mine and continued to call me names like "cry baby" then told me she moved because she was the bigger person. I told her "ok, have a nice day" (mind you still with tears coming down my face). Think that upset her more because she said "no, you have a nice day"
I drove to work bawling. I couldn't believe someone tried to use their authority for personal gain. That had never happened to me. I've had a couple of hours to recollect my thoughts and I am happy I wasnt rude or used vulger language. If I would have been wrong or if I would have been in her position I would have moved.
Anyways, thanks for listening to me vent guys. =)
P.S Lori, if you need anything I'm here. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Keep us updated please.
Sincerly,
Melissa Alcaraz
~ I think I will make great use of this space and post random thoughts and things about my day(s)~
ReplyDeleteBye for now....
-Mari-
Me too mariana!! =)
ReplyDeleteI temporarily got a second job...I give surveys to people at city walk. I thought it would be easy because I can pretty much make conversation with anyone.Soon I realized that people ignore, avoid or run away from you..=( Four hours and I only did twenty surveys.
guys, please be nice to my fellow survey people. They're just trying to work, and on the plus side you get free stuff. =)
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI've seen surveyors at the mall and they never stop and ask me questions. They always stop other people. Maybe I have a "Do not stop and ask me questions" kind of face. If I ever do get stopped, I'll answer the questions =)
As much as I would like to attend all of Prof. Hsiao's fieldtrips I do not think It will be possible. It has been so busy here at the Pharmacy, (even though the flu season has not officially started) and when I get off work I feel like a bus run me over twice. I will request the days off and hopefully I get them off...but if I don't just know that I'll be sleeping like a log while all you guys are having fun! Speaking of flu, I hope you all get vaccinated for the regular flu AND the swine flu..this year its going to be a horrible season...just so horrible. Although I like staying up to date on what is happening in the LA-26-er World there will be weeks when I probably will not check my email, it's just so inevitable sometimes!
I have been listening to Owl City every night and cannot get these lyrics out of my head.. " I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly.It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)."
Today I was thinking about how i used to put a blank cassette into my radio and record my favorite songs. ha ha. I was also thinking about how much fun I had playing Atari and Mario Bros on Nintendo..and yes I was also thinking about Pogs, Cabbage Patch Kids, Giga Pets and about LITE BRITE! Aww the sweet memories, I would not mind being a kid right about now!
Melissa, I will stop as well for those surveyors just because I know you are working for them. Your face will always come up whenever that happens. So, rest assured I will do that.
ReplyDeleteMariana, I do hope you can attend the fieldtrips. I will try to get an LA-26-er to attend everyone because I want that sense of continuity, and you with everyone is family.
Thank you for your kind words, and your heart and spirit--it is one of a kind.
I, too, used to record tapes--mix tapes--and transitioning songs was a complex yet fun task. I miss those days. Giga Pets were the best virtual pet ever. Super Mario Bros. was one of the best games along with Duck Hunt of course. I used to play Atari games with two dimensional or even one dimensional characters. Lite Brites were the best too!
I cannot comment on Cabbage Patch Kids. . .
We should always maintain our youth for as long as we can, right?
Howdy,
ReplyDeleteFinally have time to catch up and just sit and write. Mariana that poet is beautiful and i think it does capture how we all feel the LA-26 exeprience. We have shared our hopes and dreams our insecurities. I was just thinkin of you guys this morning, how glad i am to have stumble upon such amazing people whom i share some many things with. It does seem as though we all are kindred spirits. who knows we will reunite once more in future lives. Thinkin of la-26 brings me so much joy.
Whats new with me? Well i was already a victim of the flu. yup wasn't kool. Been sight seein, well not really just been on the open road.I think the best part of the road trip was the drive looking at all the beautiful scenery which for the most part was desert but someone i was amazed by its majesty. I went to my friends wedding in Lake Mead nevada, which is about an hour drive from vegas. We (my husband and i) took a detour and just went to vegas for the day with no particular place to go there. Spontaneity is the best way to keep young, letting go of our inhibitions, of our safe comfort zone how will we truly say we lived life if we never take a chance. Just like you guys mentioned about all the great things of being a kid, i think we need to reclaim a part of that. When we were kids we had no worries, we just did things i hope, even though sometimes we might have been scared to do some but then felt great joy and i bet had the best memory because of that. Like i remember i use to use the four wheel skates, the ones with 2 in the front and 2 in the back and i use to see my cousins using rollerblades. I was scared to attempt those and believe u me i felt on my tailbone so many times trying to learn but i did it. I was proud of myself for attemtpting and then getting the hang of out.
I thought of all of u guys on the trip and thought it be a nice to have you guys go. Mariana I thought of u especially and what wonderful opportunities you would have had takin pictures. on sunday it was super hot in nevada and then on monday it was raining in bakersfield. Usually i would have complained because it ruined the trip but it looked so pretty. All the green, the mountains majestic and the clouds so close to touch.
Now back to reality i feel refreshed. Work is crazy. There is an unspoken war going on between my coworkers. They are the the bad and the evil... the sworn enemies of good..lol. On my team is the good. A continuous fight for the kids. We are currently without a permanent teacher in our classroom. He only attended 2 days of the first week of school and left. He just sent his letter of resignation. The classroom was chaos. Anarchy. I felt as thought i was in lord of the flies. But i am exciting for we have a substitute teacher that is working on his credentials for sp. ed. Hopefully the district keeps him as a long term sub enabling him to work on his internship. He's young and he wants to do so many things. Evil will not triumph hopefully. We(good guys) want to share the world of possibilities with the kids!!!!! We said our goal is to take them to disneyland. I offered my services to contact the people from Disney corp and maybe lobby for our kids. The teacher said to see him after class like a child in trouble..lol But he wanted to discuss all the things we could do. Like fundraisers because the kids are all of poverty level incomes and well even if we do have field trips most of the time they dont have money. I told him i was willing to put my time and effort to lobby for them. Like writing to businesses to sponsor us. Looking up grants, donations,organizations that help people with diasabilities or other freebie promotions companies like petco offer to stimulate young minds. I became the spokesperson. AM EXCITED YOU GUYS!!! SO MANY MANY POSSIBILITES. SO MANY THINGS TO SHARE WITH THEM. But should i pipe down a bit.. is it too good to be true.. I hope not, I hope that all that we have had to put up with my coworkers and i will pay off so that the kids can benefit. If you guys have ideas feel free to let me know.
Ha Ha! I like thinking back to my youth! Yes Prof Hsiao, Atari and Nintendo! I used to play the Centipede game on Atari! We shall remain young at heart,always!
ReplyDeleteIsela, thanks for thinking about me, it makes me feel special =D I hope you had a great time. Yes I picture myself taking pictures of everything there in the dessert! The reason I have great respect for photography and writing is because they can both be interpreted in millions and millions of different ways. They both have the power to provoke and cause change in people! I guess Prof Hsiao does not realize what he truly has done for me. He has given me the opportunity to incorporate the two things I love the most. He allows me to take photographs and yet volunteer! That is the most wonderful gift anyone could have given me. I guess you can say I have a deeper appreciation for writing now and here in the blogosphere I can write and feel free. It is always nice when someone allows you to color outside the lines and paint your own picture because mental pictures transform themselves into dreams.
I have a couple of books that I bought a while back and I have been trying to read....
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Hope's Boy...A Memoir
Caramelo By Sandra Cisneros
and I really want to read The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown!
Oh yes and I really want to watch Capitalism: A Love Story ha ha.
Is anyone a nerd like me and own a Barnes and Noble membership card?
bye for now!
blog you later alligator!
oh ISELA (my LA 26 SISTA)
ReplyDeleteI almost forgot to say...
I'm very proud of you for taking action and being their SPOKE WOMAN. I knew you would step up to the plate...i am cheering and clapping for you! If I come up with ideas I shall let you know Sista! Yes, I am very grateful for having the LA 26ers be part of my life...now I have one more thing to be thankful for!!!
You guys are the best thing since Apple Pie! I predict we are the class Prof Hsiao will not be able to get rid of...ha ha we are here to stay!
Mariana!!
ReplyDelete"photography and writing is because they can both be interpreted in millions and millions of different ways. They both have the power to provoke and cause change in people!"
It is so true i feel the same way. This one time..at band camp...lol no not really when i was in writer's camp we had an exercise that incorporated the 2 concepts photography and writing. The teacher gave us a photograph postcard and we had to interpret it and make a poem or story out of it. it was really kool.
And yes if u have not figured out I am a nerd as well and i do have a barnes and noble card as well as borders. They send me email notifications =D I want to read caramelo too This really great book that I love is by a Latina and it talks about what was going on in carribean how they thought communism was really going to be good for the island. its called "in the time of the Butterflies"
The sisters in the in one way or another end up being caught in the Revolution. You should read it i give it 2 thumbs up!! They also have a movie with salma hayek and edward james olmos i have it but the book is way better.
Ha ha..band camp! lol
ReplyDeleteOh wow you went to writers camp? I'm jealous...
In 3rd grade I had a teacher that had us do something similar. My teachers name was Mr Conant and he was my favorite! He would paste a picture on the chalkboard and we had to write four paragraphs. In the first paragraph you had to write what you saw. In the second paragraph you had to write what you felt. In the third paragraph what you smelled and in the last one what you heard. It was a fun assignment that I always looked forward to. This teacher would ignite our imaginations and take us places we've never been before with the power of words and imaginations =D He also gave us poems and we had to memorize them and recite them to the class. The book you mentioned seems interesting! I totally agree on the " read the book don't watch the movie" idea. I read The Da Vinci Code and was completely disappointed by the movie! That is why when I read " The Five People You Meet in Heaven" I refused to see the made for television movie they made... ha ha.
Isela, I'm usually really good about texting back but yesterday was such a shitty day for me. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong..that is why there was no quote of the day and I did not pay a visit to the blogosphere. I just felt so drained and was not in the mood for anything. I usually do not complain but it was bad...like really bad. Ok! That day is done with, so I can move on now because today is a new day =D
I spent this summer so detached from my family. I did not get a chance to go to the beach or the fair...
I am off from work this friday so I am going to visit the La County Fair! This is actually my third year going but the last two times I just drove over there to see Lifehouse with my cousin and did not get a chance to enjoy the fair!!! I hope I can survive triple bypass surgery land...everything there seems to be triple and quadruple fried...gross! I know they have grilled corn...that sounds healthy...right? We shall see. Yes, I am looking forward to the NAMI Walk =D and i have good news I got October 9th and October 10th off so that means I can attend the Second Harvest..Isela I really hope you can go.....
At first I could not remember why I had requested the 9th off and then i remembered....
I am getting a 5 year service award...OMG five years at Kaiser..Good times..Good times!
Yes, We are having a Western themed celebration at the Long Beach Hilton and they are feeding us and there is going to be a casino there and prices...so i think it will be fun. My coworkers are receiving a 30 year service award and a 20 year service award and my friend Scarlet just wants to go because Im going! Cheers to that!
Bye for Now
Perks of Being a Wallflower and Caramelo are great reads!
ReplyDeleteI am a fellow book nerd myself, Isela and Mariana--obviously, right?
Have fun at the fair, Mariana!
The ride in which you get to see the entire Fair high on top a makeshift ski lift is great!
I highly recommend the Ferris Wheel as well!
It is funny--I never eat the food when I go to the fair--I enjoy the rides instead.
Keep up the good fight, Isela.
It is always about the students and the great teachers!
Mariana, congrats on 5 years!
They (Kaiser employers) have one of the best employees in you!
P.S. I am looking forward to Saturday as well!
ReplyDeleteThe L.A. County Fair
ReplyDeleteI am trying really hard to write/type events as I remember them, to my best ability the day in which they occur. There are some things you just do not want to forget.
We left my house around 300p.m because I had to run some errands and my mother was not ready ( like always) My sister and her boyfriend were in the front seat and my mother baby and myself were in the back. The baby was so full of energy so we tried to keep her entertained, she cried at times. My sister lost us ha ha but I saved the day with my gps enabled phone =D google maps rocks!!! We parked by the race track and waited like 40 minutes for the tram. My sister owns three horses so she has a horse owners license and she got me in for free and parking was free! We went in through the back lot where they have all the horses!! There was a band doing a sound check! My sisters boyfriend placed a bet on some horses and won some money. The air was hot but i was happy! They had a lot of food. The most disgusting thing i found was "chocolate covered bacon" They bought nachos and tacos and burritos and a torta.... I ate an apple.... later when i got hungry i wanted coffee with splenda and nonfat milk but they ran out of nonfat milk so i opted out. I went to the grilled corn stand and bought a grilled corn and added lemon juice and pepper. I added too much pepper so it was super spicy!! Yes i succeeded!!! ha ha i feel victorious!!! We went to the petting zoo and there was a burro and it made me think of phillip and the horse ranch because i took a picture of him next to a burro! there where bunnies and chickens and ponies and bees and a baby goat being born!!! We also went inside a plaza where they tried to sell you useless things! there were also cows but we were not allowed to milk them this year due to disease prevention precautions! We made plans to get on the ferris wheel but we never did! We also found some dinosaurs!! It was so much fun to be with my family!!! and i even learned how to place bets on horses! ha ha. I miss spending time with my mother and sister, it had been years since i had shared memories with them =D It was just...awesome!
Good Morning Guys!!! =D
ReplyDeleteIts 6:50am and I cant sleep. I think it's because I have a lot on my mind, mainly school. My statistics class is my worst nightmare. were in week four, but my mind is still on how to calculate probability. If Prof. Hsiao remembers when I almost cried in the mid-term well my feeling is ten times worst. =( Then on saturdays I have humanities the subject is Key Movements..can someone please explain to me why were reading WWI poetry? I don't mind the poetry, but I dislike how she puts so much restriction on what the poem means. I believe if you have enough evidence to support your idea you can not be wrong. It's as if when the poet died (in battle)and someone decided what the person ment when they wrote it. I don't dislike the subject, the professor is making it really hard to enjoy the lecture.
Other than school stealing my sleep, I have been good. I miss you guys. I wish we could have have a set in stone (unbreakable) schedule where we met. My project surveying people is over. I was just helpin my cousin who's a makerting director for trailor park with her universal studios account. I want to buy a car by the end of this year so we'll see if I can make that happen. =)
There's this song, "Happy" by leona lewis that always makes me remember our summer. I think it's because this summer I learned to be myself. Its not important how many doors close, I have the ability to open them. it makes no difference to me how long it takes or how many times I fall, I am going to find my place.
I'm sad I missed the walk but I had class. I had missed last week when I was a birdesmaid for my friends wedding.
TTYL!! =D
Melissa, Lori, Cassie, and Gabriel, you were all missed!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I enjoy that song too. . .
Okay, now
NAMI Walk 09/26/09
The NAMI Walk was awesome. I am just fortunate that I have found human beings that have similar civic minded interests. It really is a joy to find that camaraderie and find it within LA-26!
I will give a quick run-down. . .
Isela, walked on because she is the strong one, and she finished—ahead of us! Big surprise, right? She also conversed when we were relishing the shade that she enjoyed the class. I of course out of sense of levity made it into a joke because I know how much work I do give. Isela was trying to communicate that to me, but I turned it. . .
Victor and I talked throughout the walk. He has been through many interesting experiences and life in general. We talked about his favorite soccer teams, and the trip he is going to Mexico City to the tune of 100,000+ fans! Crazy! Soccer has been his life and that of his former playing days! It really is quite admirable.
Mariana was talking to all her friends and coworkers. It was nice watching her in her work environment but in a casual setting. Her heart and passion for this work is really inspiring, and she discussed how serious one of her friend’s medical conditions was—pulmonary embolism—that he could die at any time. We all in solemnity paid our respect.
Sherry got an hour of sleep, so she was doing her best to stay up with us. She wore a very nice hat, which she said that was her first time wearing it. We discussed some relationship issues that I assured her I would not divulge to another soul. Pinkie-promise on that one, right? And she wanted to makes sure she could call me John instead of Prof. Hsiao. I agreed.
Philip, it was nice seeing him in shorts no less. We had strands of conversation about that one! I did not get to hear about finger nails, but I heard about hipsters and clique that he belongs. His humor and philosophical bent is one of the best things about him. Him and Sherry both had less than an hour of sleep, which they made it, and were in the best of attitudes—smile and happy.
The event was great—it had a humongous group. We were in the middle of the crowd. The ceremonial shout-outs were short compared to the eulogy given to the one fallen. She was forty-one and she had a very selfless attitude and outlook on life. It is sad she lost her life, and the presenters and administrators were solemn and respectful.
We went to eat at Papa Z’s, one of my favorite-hole-in-the-wall restaurants. I love their breakfast items, and I go every week. We got to sit in the corner table with an old school feel to it. Everyone ordered their food, which really did represent who they are: Mariana, healthy, Victor, unhealthy, Philip, did not care what he got, Isela, a good portion, but she did not finish half because she is athletic and the strong one, Sherry, finished hers and wanted to rest (it is okay), and myself (I needed a bleeding piece of hamburger because it was taxing being in the sun and going so many hours looking at humans without devouring them).
I am looking forward to the Second Harvest Food Drive.
Thank you Mariana for letting us know about this event!
THE NAMI WALK
ReplyDeleteI finally get some free time to post my "reflection". First and foremost I would like to thank all that were able to attend the event for donating your valuable time for a great cause. I had a great time!
Ok! I woke up early and went to 7-11 to take out money because I thought we were going to have to pay for parking. My co-worker got to campus before I did and the only person there besides us was Phillip! Phillip said he thought everyone had left and I said " Are you serious, they left us?" and he was all like " No, I thought everyone had left". Such relief that they had not left us. After that, everyone else arrived and we carpooled! Yai!
I asked Mr Hsiao to lead the way because since the majority of his fieldtrips are in the O.C i just kind of figured he was a native! I had directions but did not want to get us lost.
We followed the Vampire all the way to the pier and parked a few blocks away to avoid parking fees..thanks Mr Hsiao. We stopped to get coffee and take a restroom break and Phillip told me his nail story and Victor told me of the great time he had at Sea World " Shamu was great!!!", he said.
My friend Mark found me before I found him and I introduced him and he gave us snacks =D We started the walk and I kept thanking my co worker for taking photos of us and she kept saying " its okay, Im camera happy" I spent most of the walk talking to Phillip about just about everything. We talked about music and how we feel underground music is better than mainstream. We talked about our favorite scary movies and our favorite parts in our favorite scary movies! We talked about amusement parks.. I also talked to him about the pharmacy and what my job responsibilities are and of getting him to intern there next summer.
Phillip and I tried to look for Isela..we thought she was behind us...she was way way in front!!! yai Isela! We passed prof Hsiao's car...a hearse parked alongside a curb!
There was a raffle but none of us won..except Mark he won a margarita set or something like that. I think Mr Hsiao wanted it for himself. ha ha.
We were all starving and were supposed to go to Spires and when myself, Isela, Phillip and my co worker were walking to our car and realized we all had something in common ...we had never eaten there before. There was some change of plans and Mr Hsiao took us to this great restaurant. The menu was pretty universal. They had awesome customer service! I ordered a salad and fruit and was quite impressed with their portion sizes. I was surrounded by plates of cheeseburgers and fries. Mr Hsiao ordered " the usual" a non frozen patty dripping with blood..he does not discriminate and not only feeds on humans but animals as well...legend has it that one day they cooked his patty and he made a big deal..asked to speak to the manager and all....lol. Victor made me laugh when he smelled his onion rings. ha ha. When they started talking about drinks and sushi I realized i had nothing valuable to add to the conversation so i just kind of smiled! I cannot eat seafood ...i thought sushi made with brown rice and vegetables sounded good! and I dont like beer and all i could picture in my head was a mango margarita. lol.
On the way home myself, isela phillip and my co worker were laughing our heads off. We talked about movies mostly. We talked about Nacho Libre and Vote for Pedro among other things. We recited lines such as "get that corn outta ma face"..it was a great day!
I'm a junkie and I think I got my LA-26-ER fix!
-Mariana-
Another label given to me by my h.s. philosophy teacher--dark knight of philsophy--
ReplyDeleteI dont try to be strong i cant help it. but
i feel like i missed out!! even though i was there, i didnt get to hang out because i was feelin claustrophobic with the huge crowd. I had to get away. I missed all the neat conversations though. I guess i am an island. I am that whatever. I am the bridge connecting people. Maintaining myself in anonymity.
Hey Isela......
ReplyDeleteI felt claustrophobic too!!!
We didn't have a Philosophy class in High School...
I met a guy a couple of years ago at the Cerritos Public Library ( his name was Daniel) he was cute..i had a crush on him he had such great hazel eyes....lol and we became friends..he gave me the lord of the rings trilogy books and I gave him a Japanese for Dummies book because he is half japanese and half white.. and wanted to learn Japanese. Anyway, he was majoring in Business and minoring in Philosophy but that boy was more Philosophy than anything else...OMG he was soooo boring..he had like nothing to say. ...he was a boy without substance..like a beautifully wrapped present with nothing inside....he led me to believe that all philosophy guys were like that...sometimes when you get to know someone they become so unattractive.
That is why I considered dropping Prof Hsiao's class because as soon as I opened the "textbook" and saw ethos with that triangle written...i just knew the teacher had either majored or minored in philosophy and I just didnt want anything to do with philosophy...Daniel is in San Jose State now and when he is in town he wants to "hang out" but I just make myself unavailable because i can have more interesting conversation with my chihuahua than with Daniel.
Gosh I am feeling so overwhelmed right now with just everything!!!! Ill get over it though..things will get better! I need a vacation though...
ttyl sista
Isela,
ReplyDeleteI like the island part as well as anonymity. Doing good work in anonymity is what all who care for humanity do--they serve others not for themselves per se but for others.
I love the Batman reference too.
Philosophy, Mariana,
is everything I am about. I wrote philosophical writings even in middle school, perhaps even elementary school too? I have always been that way, and I do not see myself changing at all.
Last thing, I would not know what to do with myself if I had time off?
Yes, Proffesor Philosophy is a good thing.... a very good thing...
ReplyDeleteBeing busy is also a good thing...it keeps me sane..
I'm working my last graveyard shift tonight. It's slow, so I am going to write. I always want to write more but I never do. I am always so rushed.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever revisited a place or person and have found that they've remained stagnant? This happened to me today. Although I am a believer of "good" change and strive and seek it in my everyday ventures I have come to the realization that sometimes one need things to remain the same. The people that I saw today have become mirrors. They project the truth. Their thoughts/ideas/beliefs show me an image of the girl that I am becoming and i find that I am getting accustomed to her and cannot help but smile. I sit with these people and although I know their names and faces they are strangers to me. We seek different things and now speak different languages. Mine is a dialect that only nine people understand. I consider teaching them my secret language but retract for I know they will never comprehend for my language goes way beyond their realm of understanding. I do not know when this began however I do know how it will end. They, whom i have known for decades are becoming faceless strangers while those that I met only three months ago are forever there, forever with me. They are embedded in my heart, sketched in my soul and flow through my blood. I can still hear the song we sang three months ago and sometimes it is merely an echo but It is always there...omnipresent I hope the tunes and lyrics never fade away...I hope we do not become what could have been ...or what was...I hope we remain in a constant state of what is ...
Mariana,
ReplyDeleteVery poetic and lyrically abstract so far that the dimensions keep moving, transitioning, and abounding. . .
Insofar as we would like to always be in the process of becoming and changing for the best. . .
while those whilst watch and their lives just settle, stagnate, and sterilize. . .
it is unfortunate to watch. . .
is it not?
***
Congrats on the last graveyard shift. . . awesome, Mariana!
Isela, how is the fight coming along?
Mr. Hsiao,
ReplyDeleteYes..quite unfortunate. very unfortunate.
When I look at them it is as though I am watching a black and white film. It is lacking sound, lacking pigment...zero vibrancy. I watch things unravel before me in slow motion and there is nothing I can do. I am in a different time zone. I bleed of technicolor, like my brothers. like my sisters. I cannot transcend the boundaries. Static starts to infiltrate and the image begins to blur but before it goes pitch black...I change the channel...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I am really looking forward to Friday and Saturday. Friday I get my five year service award. I don't really care about the award but I am looking forward to the celebration. I am looking forward to spending some time with my co workers for I know my evening will be filled with lots of laughter. I love laughing.
Saturday is the much awaited Second Harvest. For the LA-26-ERS it will be OUR SECOND time attending so IT IS THE SECOND HARVEST for us! I hear Gabriel is going but like Isela said when she was referring to Phillip "I'll believe it when I see it." I'm glad my sista is going! and I cannot wait to see Sherry Berry =D and everyone else that might be going. Oh and I night possibly be going to Haunt saturday night so I think I might be really tired at work sunday. ha ha.
So I want to start jogging again. I miss it, a lot. I miss the freedom, clarity and peace I felt. When I jog I think of nothing and no one. I focus on the music and on not running out of breath. I like it because its good for me physically and mentally. I found a jogging buddy. An old friend of mine from the elementary and high school days =D I want to go to Runner's High (store) in Long Beach. I hear they let you try on the shoes and run with them..how cool is that? I saw pee wee today ( my chihuahua)..he's big now...he doesn't look like a chihuahua anymore...hmm..was he ever?
I need to go shopping for wardrobe. I guess I'm kind of weird. I only shop in the fall...because i love the colors. I like the scarfs and the boots. I like how happy people appear to be, mostly because of the holidays. The colors in the spring are too fluorescent. I do not like bringing attention to myself so I do not buy the clothes. I also like getting ice cream when its cold. My dad used to take me to "Thrifty" and I would always get Mint and Chip ice cream and it always tasted so wonderful in fall and winter. Perhaps it wasn't the season that made it taste spectacular...perhaps it was my father. Someone asked me the other day what I wanted for my birthday. I was surprised that I didn't have to think about it for awhile..the answer was almost instantaneous..like cup of noodles.
I don't want any thing material. Those things stop mattering after awhile. They become just another item in a closet..a thing forgotten. They lose it's value. I want something that is eternal. Something everlasting that never falters. I want to be surrounded by my family and friends...I want to be with my LA-26-ERS...that is all.....
UPDATED FIELDTRIP LIST
ReplyDeleteOCTOBER
SATURDAY OCTOBER 10TH SECOND HARVEST/FOOD BANK
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16TH GETTY VILLA
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18TH AIDS WALK-ASK MARIANA!!!
SATURDAY OCTOBER 31ST ISAIAH'S HOUSE (SERVING THE HOMELESS)- DURING THE DAY
@ NIGHT----ISELA'S HALLOWEEN PARTY!!!
NOVEMBER
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7TH *HOGAN HORSE RANCH*
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21ST- THE GETTY CENTER
DECEMBER
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH BOLSA CHICA WETLANDS
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5th @ NIGHT. PARTY @ MARIANA"S HOUSE.
I always think am just going to do a quick glance at the blosphere to see what I missed but I always end up having to scroll up so that I can leave my thoughts. Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteYay! Sissie your last graveyard shift!!! I too like writing in the nighttime I didn’t work night shift but I think it’s the best time because its quiet and I can hear my thoughts. =D And yes I have visited people and thought they have remained stagnant, but then again I have felt that way myself. Like I have not moved on and I sometimes find myself sabotaging certain situations so that I don’t have to run into people and avoid the “what-have you been-up-to” talk and I would find myself saying not much same o same o. Then they tell me about all the great things they have done with their lives.
Mari you write so beautiful. I agree with Prof. Vamp it is very poetic. Change is good, it is for improvement. I like to create change. I think it’s because I lose interest in things easily I need a challenge. I was driving the other day and I thought to myself is it so bad to be complacent with a simple life? Not wanting change? Not wanting to improve yourself? I guess if one is happy I guess not, but how can one not be ambitious? Just like the seasons it is a process of life, to evolve.
Any who…my fight… oh it’s a constant rollercoaster. What’s new? Well our long term sub had an interview to go work for the county which offered him a permanent position. Am happy for him he has bills to pay and a family which is whom he has to think of. Now we are going to play the waiting game and see who we get. How well they interact with the children. There will be Anarchy with the adults in the room for control. It seems as though I am in the book lord of the flies. Haha.
Congratulations Mari for your service award!!! I look forward to laughter as well I think that is my medicine for the b.s. we endure. I also wanted to start working out too I feel alive maybe it’s the endorphins released. I feel freedom too and peace. The silence, just feeling the air, feeling the season. It clears my mind.
I felt giddy the other day when it finally felt chilly. I think I was tired of the hot weather. I like the colors of fall. I like the changing of the leaves. The October skies. I love the sweaters and scarfs and the beanies. Lol mari instantaneous like cup o noodles..lol I like giving presents that mean something to that person. I remember once I was in a gift exchange and I wrote a couple of titles of books and they laughed at me and they called me a nerd. I felt bad but then I got my book and didn’t care.haha
Yes, Isela! You are so right. I come visit this haven of mine, The Blogosphere and it draws me in like a magnet. I almost feel obligated to leave a posting..with every visit I leave a piece of myself..and It's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the Award Banquets. I am in the awards banquet committee and the special services and activities committee. They say that I might have to read out the names in front of everyone the day of the banquet! nerve racking but looking forward to it.
Thanks for the writing compliments. I have always written that way and felt misunderstood, by my teachers and peers. No one understood my style of writing so I just didn't write sometimes.
I'm really happy for your friend! That's so exciting! Yai! You know the more I get to know you Isela, the more I realize how similar we are to one another. To think that I sat in the front of the class and you sat at the back...not making contact and then remember I thought you were stuck up? LMAO!!! Glad we talked that over! Maybe we can run one day together..and go to the beach too and shoots some rounds lol.. Oh yeah I'm going to lend you the books when I see you on Saturday =D
As for me, work is the same. I cannot change people's reactions or attitudes...just my own. I have a positive attitude about the situation and that same attitude is what has helped me overcome a lot of things throughout my life. I'm letting go of things because that is all I can do. I never learned how to hate or hold grudges against people..I do not want to start now..Thanks sista for being there for me that day...You are the greatest!
I love fall and winter too! Its lovely! Summer was too hot! too too hot! When I was youngerI would spend entire days locked in my room reading a book and would only leave to use the restroom or eat... I was engulfed in those books...and many times after finishing a book all I could say was " wow"..they would take my breath away.. Christmas time.. i would write letters for people and make my own christmas cards..i found that they liked it better than store bought presents...when my parents would give me sweaters I would be soooo grateful because I knew it came from their hearts and they had saved every penny to buy me a sweater so I would immediately put it on and if you could only see their smiles....you would melt away!
MY BARNES AND NOBLE STORY
ReplyDeleteI study at the local Barnes and Noble by my house all the time. I like it there because they have a starbucks and books. When I get tired of doing math I go browse the books =D I usually order a grande mocha light frappuccino with out whipped cream, The other day I went in there and wanted to try something else. I wanted something warm. I wanted a grande cappucino made with nonfat milk. I was waiting in line and it was my turn to place my order but before i had a change to open my mouth the person behind the counter said" You're having the usual right? grange mocha light frap, no whip" I looked at the person and said" yes". Although I wanted something hot I was surprised that the person knew what I usually order! They have a lot of customers...
I dont know I didnt want to be rude...
oh blogsphere,
ReplyDeletedear dear blogsphere, i had no where else to turn. I wanted to speak but couldnt. I wanted to shout but couldnt. All i can do is cry and type. I wanted to be daytime already. Where can the strong, tough one go to cry? Where can i get the shoulder to lean on? Where can i go where i wont be judged? here. it feels like am in another realm. I need the therapy right now. Writing has been therapy, and right now i need lots of it. There has been so many things going on. Some many things... am feeling so dark. darkness, in the abyss. Sissie its funny you touch the subject of holding grudges... i tried so hard not to hold any but i cant help it. I thought i had moved passed it, but sometimes it seems that time wont let it be. Like it keeps bringing it back. And it was brought out by someone very close that i love so much. When they were telling me I laughed. A sinister laugh. I laughed because I was in their same situation at one point in my life and i have working on it trying to let it go. I thought i had let it go but now it seemed it was being mirrored. It felt like we were battling the same demons. But now i don't know where i stand...I am confused. All i know is i have pain in my soul. The only thing that comforts me is that i have accepted who i was and why i guess i made certain choices and did certain things. I was an angry person full of hate. And i try to have faith in humanity in people but there are many things that make me doubtful. That make me go back to my sinister ways. When i open my heart and self and soul i want the same. Especially because i created such a thick barrier in my heart and i guard with all my might. Because inside i am a vulnerable child that needs to find the light.
Dear Isela
ReplyDeleteIt is really hard to not hold grudges sometimes...because sometimes when you see the person that has damaged you or are placed in situations that ignite old feelings sometimes the anger flares up all over again. Mr Conant, my third grade teacher was explaining to the class how to deal with fights/troublemakers. He said that if someone punched you to just walk away from the situation...
It is harder to let things go ...it is harder to walk away...I have been there...and I know I will go there again..its inevitable..today I choose to walk away...
I do not know what kind of choices you have made in the past. Whether good or bad I would just like to say that we are all mortals and we make mistakes but that is all part of the never ending learning process. I am not here to judge anyone...that is not why I was put on this planet..
All I know about Isela is that I met her last summer. I did not talk to her because she sat at the back of the class. I have developed this deep deep bond with her. I like her like a sister. It was soooo great seeing her and talking to her today that she made leaving so painful...I could have talked to her till the sun said goodbye to the earth and the moon said hello
p.s I will post my reflection later.........
luv ya Isela!
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.-Gandhi-
ReplyDeleteOne of the favorite things I have heard said to me by a Holocaust Survivor is
ReplyDelete"To let go."
It is easier said than done LA-26-er because we are human beings, and our hearts are mortal.
I just remember one of my students, a Army veteran, who served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, who would not let go of grudges he had towards his superiors for raping and killing needless civilians.
He still held a hard heart towards those who were in authority. He begged to ask the question to the Holocaust survivor, and the survivor said basically, "You have to let go."
It does not mean that you shall forget the trespasses per se, but you have to move on because a hard heart will only poison those that do love you. I know you know all of this already, but I am reaching out to you.
Thank you Mariana and Isela for both making it to Second Harvest. You both made me smile countless times because even though you were weary and tired and both of you have the most rigorous schedules I know you made it out.
I appreciate it, and thank you.
It just felt soooooooo good having you both represent the LA-26-ers and for your good spirit.
Mariana, that is a great quote by Gandhi!
Mariana, your discussion on mirrors led me to an
ReplyDeleteEnding Thought. . .
Mirrors, just mirrors for the world, that day, Second Harvest, service to the poor was the penultimate message. The ultimate message was camaraderie and good good times.
Primary Memory. . .
The primary memory I have was the smiles on my students’ faces as well as those who were hosting at Village Bible Church. I cannot count how many thankful workers, families, and people came up to my students and I and very sincerely, from the heart, (can there be any other?) shook our hands, hugged us, expressed words of dear gratefulness, and much more. Even though the weather was cold and the sky overcast there was so much warmth around us. It was freely given and received the entire morning.
. . .
I wish the other LA-26-ers could have come. . .
The night before I stayed out longer than I probably should have.......
ReplyDeleteThe day of the harvest I had the greatest intentions of leaving my house on time. My niece woke me up at 6:00 am for she was crying. I got up and ran frantically to her and comforted her for a very long time while my mother prepared her bottle. I went back to sleep for a little bit and ended up leaving my house around 7:20. I am sure I was speeding and was relieved that the bus had not left. I was saddened that Isela and Sherry weren't there =(
I saw two familiar faces...Prof Hsiao's and Oscar's. I went to talk to Oscar and we talked about the conferences we had attended and what classes we were each taking and his upcoming english class. Isela texted me saying she was running late and I told her that if the bus wanted to leave I would wait for her and we could carpool together. I am glad that guy locked his keys inside his car so that way Isela had enough time to get to Campus!
I don't know why I thought the church was in Irvine...I was surprised to learn it was in Garden Grove. I recognized the route when we got off the freeway..there is a Kaiser Permanente that is near the church..I go there for Urgent Care.
I really enjoyed the weather..I like days like those. It was perfect for me.
After we got our name badge that once again would not stick Isela and I were talking and this man and his son approached us and he said " look at those blue eyes" and we began having a conversation about my fake eyes. The man's name was John and his son was Jason. It was at that moment that I fell in love with John and Jason. It was not the " i want to be romantically involved with you" type of love but it was a pure, clean love. It was the " i love you because you bring me inner peace, tranquility and deeper understanding" kind of love. We talked for a long time about everything and the best part was that I got a hug from Jason. It was the most honest, innocent, warm hug I had ever received. It was as though someone pulled my heart out and wrapped in a warm blanket and then placed it back in me. It was just like that. Jason is a special needs child and Isela knew some sign language and was communicating with Jason. Jason and Isela pretty much made up my mind...for my foreign language I will take American Sign Language.
Isela and I started fixing the bags and then when to the mushroom station. Later I followed Isela and stood next to her where the families formed line to get food. I wanted to help but then I also wanted to photograph life. It was challenging to try to both at the same time but I think I did an okay job.
I picked up an incredible high amount of immaturity radiating from some of Prof Hsiao's students. It's okay though because perhaps when the LA-26-ERS get together we are perceived the same way in the eyes of a stranger.
I really enjoyed taking the photographs. My favorite picture is of a boy sitting down in the gym area smiling at the camera. I asked him if I could take a picture of him and he shook his head and said no but he was smiling at me in the most childish of ways so I just had to capture his innocence and joy for the world to see...Taking photographs brings me comfort, happiness and peace..I really cannot describe it , you have to feel it.
I was raised catholic and I do not ever remember being engaged in a prayer circle. The first time i was part of a prayer circle was the last time we went to the second harvest. This time I stayed outside the prayer circle in order to photograph Prof Hsiaos class. i joined in next to Isela, John and Jason. I really enjoyed the part when we all gave thanks. I heard some of the people's praises but not all of them. Some people spoke too low. I could mostly just feel their praises. I felt the chilly wind and I heard the birds sing..and the singing of the birds was louder than the human voices as if they too were thanking and praising us. I like prayer circles now because they are so powerful. They provide strength , inner peace, and encouragement. John invited us to his church and to his house..he has a trampoline and a pool...I would like to add that my Uncle's name was John too except I didn't call him John i called him tio Juan, which means Uncle John. I like connecting things. I don't know maybe all John's are nice.
ReplyDeleteI would like to go to their services one day...i would like to take Isela.
We went to eat to Los Sanchez again. I know that a lot of times I say nothing and remain quiet but I am very observant. I noticed that Prof Hsiao ordered grilled fish again , I can only assume that he orders that every time. I really like the voice of the man that reads the orders out loud. I sat with Oscar because he is an LA-26-ER at heart. We were laughing because his quesadilla was pizza size...it was more like a pizzadilla if you know what i mean. I know that Prof Hsiao's class(es) are very close but everyone seemed to be segregated in their own table. The LA-26-ERS would never had allowed such a tragedy to happen...that is why we connected the tables, because we are ONE!!!
I most definitely enjoyed talking to Isela...it was the best. Like I said before about 97% of my friends are male...It just works out better that way. No talks about self inflicted issues...no never ending cycle of drama..just intelligent conversations while enjoying a drink or watching a movie. With Isela it's different. We agree on sooo much and she is one of the few females I enjoy conversating with!!
ReplyDeleteFor me the Food Harvest was something like this.....
I felt like i was out in the pouring rain for a long time...so long that my fingers had turned wrinkly and then someone just wrapped a warm blanket over me and gave me warm soup and placed me in front of the fire place..I would like to think those people were John and Jason...
Thank you for having my sister and I , Professor Hsiao (John W.onderful Hsiao)......thank you
A little background
ReplyDeleteIn 2007 when my sisters,cousins and friends decided to the AIDS Walk, it was much more difficult. We woke up at 5:00 am to catch two busses and a metro from Lynwood. To make a long story short the bus driver was arguing with a lady, my older sister almost got in a fight with a man on the bus and since they rerouted the busses we walked five blocks to take the bus home. Also, there was no ice cream or cookies because they ran out.Oh and I almost forgot that the weather was in the 90's and someone decided it was a great idea to set the hills on fire so it was extra hot. We ended up getting home around 6:00pm and ate dinner at Taco Bell...back then my eating habits were horrible....
Those are the reasons I was sooooooooooooo grateful to Mr. Hsiao for providing transportation!
Just for you Isela =) (my only soul sista)
ReplyDeleteThanks for waiting for me Mr Hsiao. That day I forgot my camera battery at home so I had to speed home. I was very surprised to learn that Edgar (former student of Mr Hsiao's knew my High School friend Mario). I was really happy to be surrounded by great people such as Isela, Victor and the kids, my sisters, Mario, Sophal,Edgar, Tygrant and Mr Hsiao. At Alondra Hotwings I ordered the usual..my turkey sandwich with salad with no mayo or dressing. I ate the usual as well. I only ate the salad and took the turkey sandwich home and gave it to my sister Corina. Corina developed crushes on the workers of Alondra Hot wings and called each one of them her boyfriend. When the white girl with pigtails came in I thought that was Mr Hsiao's girlfriend so throughout the remainder of the day Isela and I referred to her as the "girlfriend". I did not appreciate her comments. Such as " I want to keep walking, I don't want to stop" and " why are they taking so long, I want to leave already" I am glad my younger sister backed me up by saying " well, you can leave but I'm staying" In the future field trips I will keep my distance from her ( as far as I possibly can because I can see myself getting into an argument with her)
Someone stole Isela's seat and never gave it back so it was extremely difficult to talk to Isela on the bus since she was no longer seated next to the Professor =( I really enjoyed walking with Isela, we made plans and I learned a lot about her and I am sure she learned a lot about me due to conversations with my sister ha ha I am glad we lagged behind because I was trying to stay away from the "girlfriend"
It was beautiful to watch everyone united for a great cause. Although there was 30,000 plus people everyone got along and had so much energy and joy filled the West Hollywood sky! I really liked the unique restaurants and shops and also the paintings on the walls! I hope that we can make this a yearly thing! that would be nice.