Babies solve everything

Too many complaints and negative energy right now...but baby made me feel better.

F*$%in' Flips!!!

I HATE CRAB MENTALITY!!!! Learn to be freakin' supportive, damnit! Oh...are you feeling neglected...ohh...let me baby you so you can feel better about yourself! Get over it already, f*$%ers!!!

It's coming...

Ah...it's that time of year again and things are moving as swiftly as they should. There are always suprises along the way but for some reason, FPAC is way too blessed for bad things to weigh it down. It was really hard for me to completely stay away so I'm playing a very very minor role. At least I hope I am. :-) So it can get a bit hectic, but damnit, I love this stuff!!! AND there is hope that changes are a good thing!

Successes

A clear example of what you can do when you focus. Unbeknownst to many, my Joe-y was so scared getting on a rink that was just a little larger than the living room in his house, especially since he's never really ice skated. I've always believed he could do anything and this is proof. He's starting to embark on some new things in his life and I have full confidence that everything he has worked for will completely pay off. He's still kind of close to the wall in this picture, though. A kid almost knocked him down as he was approaching the turn. ahahaha!

It was The Monster's birthday last weekend. I was kind of bummed I missed it...kind of bummed I missed another family get-together...just feeling a bit homesick.

Think again!

For a while, this summer was looking to be a somewhat relaxed one. I figured with some things taken off my plate, I'd be able to relax and take in the sites more often than not...right...spoke way too soon! Is this really something that I have to accept about my life...moving from one project to another? There has to be an end sooner or later, right? But then there's always something that replaces the other. Maybe this is a challenge to simplify my life a little more. Otherwise, I see no opportunity to get my room clean anytime soon! Boo!

Transitioning...still

Yes, I do love my job. I'm learning a ton each day and I'm able to give back in ways I never thought I would.

When I was in my prior position, I had my day job and so many other things going on outside of work. Now I find myself in a position where I'm required to do some of the projects i used to do outside of my job and find myself with a little more free time than I thought...well, in between projects, that is. So what am I left with now?

I've been told that my true nature leads me to constantly look for new things to do aside from my daily grind. I think that sums up the majority of my life. So I think it's just a matter of figuring out other things I can spend my time doing, aside from the "community projects" I've been invovled with for the past year or two. Transitions are good, right? Maybe this is a good time to start focusing on me again.

I'm doing...

I'm enjoying where I am a lot more than where i was a five months ago.
I'm not working a 9 to 5 job.
I'm working for a community I really care about.
I get to throw fabulous events for big and small funders/supporters.
I get to check out other events that affiliate groups throw and meet all sorts of interesting people.
I'm healping to increase the perpetuity of one Pilipino organization.
It's all about the money but all for the good reasons.

What if I can be more effective if I wasn't an official member of one group?
Would it be the same case if I were to be with another ethnic organization?
How affective do I really want to be?
What kind of affects do I want to instill in my community?

I can't change the world on my own. I don't know why that thought ever entered my mind...wishful thinking...maybe.

It's a job...it's a career? Still thinking. It'll definitely develop into something, that's for certain.

Starting off the week...

How is it that pain becomes more intensified as we get older...more so with women, I guess?

And how is it that the first phone call I get this freakin' morning comes with a huge dose of attitude and rudeness even if it's not my fault!?! MF!

Trying to stay positive...the long weekend will definitely not come too soon!

trying to fight off emotional meltdown...damn these freakin' hormones!

i just want to crawl into a little hole and sleep until tomorrow...

Spirituality and Freedom

To the so-called progressive freedom fighters out there who do not feel that religion should not play a big role in fighting for freedom, I have two words for them - liberation theology.

For the less materially blessed - of necessities and wants, those who really have nothing as strong as their spirituality to make it through; may the blessings of The Creator shine upon you always. Nothing will ever be as strong as your faith and no one can examine it better than you.

Fanaticism kills.

Ano ba?

An LA hip hop group just put out a new cd which contains a Tagalog song penned from one of their members, I'm sure. It's not the most content driven Tagalog track. But I see it's significant purpose of helping to open doors for other Pinoy artists to introduce their songs to the masses and show how enlightening a Tagalog rap can be other than talking about eating adobo and wanting to be friends instead of getting married. Overall, the cd is full of dance beats which will more than likely be played out at all the clubs this summer.

My first question, where did all the content go? Did their meaningful lyrics go out the door the minute they finished recording the track about getting retarded and took on a female member?

This is one of my favorite hip hop groups. They have been originals throughout their entire career. What kills me the most is their Tagalog track was released in the Philippines with a special promo disc containing a video shot with a bunch of booties shakin' everywhere, as I'm told. It just seems that they have started to fall into really being in the limelight and producing tracks that those who are not as interested in content would definitely purchase, aka, the masses. If that's really the case, sige. I support them but don't think I'll be polluting my ears with a ton of their tunes any time soon. Please don't get too retarded.

Miffed

if there is nothing in your power to change something, why try?!

What happened?

Did I just attempt to apply for a position and just get turned down for it? "No thanks, but I'm sure we'll be able to do more with you in the future." I sincerely hope so. Luckily, this is a good friend and there are ways of getting around this one. Oh yes, he will give in.

Subservience

not a good feeling...not a good feeling at all.

The Force Explained

Ok...not going to ruin it so no need to panic. With all the hoopla going around about this damn epic, you'd think that the characters and events in this movie were real. Lucas has done a tremendous job of continuing one of his greatest professional creations and, bottom line, make more money for all. Don't mean to sound cynical but that's pretty much what it usually boils down to.

In regards to the movie...it was pretty damn good. Tons of eye candy most of the time but spectacular scenes, none the less. The work that went into creating this movie should and cannot be discounted at all. In all seriousness though, people...it's just a movie. There's no need to go on and on about differences in story line, perceptions on character's personalities and the like. Another bottom line, it's just a movie, a simple story that has many parts. The success of the epic can only be attributed to the populus who continue to treat the story lines and characters as real beings. Instead, I must urge that we take the meanings of the stories more seriously than the literal depictions of the characters and events.

Lesson 1
The idea of equalities always existing in the universe has existed throughout the centuries.

Lesson 2
No matter how hard we try, escaping our destiny can sometimes be a fleeting attempt. Thus, other inevitable events are set to follow with whatever decisions and actions we undertake.

Lesson 3
Releasing all attachments to material things - objects and beings, really is a good thing, indeed. Helps you keep your focus on the non-tangible things.

Lesson 4
No matter what the challenge, focus on the task at hand in order to reach your overall goal. Release all distractions that may come from it and keep on truckin'.

Lesson 5
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, except when they try to knock off a limb with a big ass laser thing.

Lesson 3
Get to a busy ass theater at least 30 mins. before starting to allow yourself plenty of time to hit the concession stand.

Lesson 4
Go to a theater that has reserved seating if you're going to watch something that the entire world has been waiting for. Thank The Almighty for Arc(h)light!

Damn my new found moroccan mint tea obsession! I should've drank this hours ago! Must find other things to tire my mind now. Good night!

Summer has begun!

First unofficial pool party of the year! if only more weekends can be like this. Went to another bbq yesterday at one of my girl's place. Took in some sites in El Serreno, behind South Pas, and just before Alhambra. Went to dinner at Shamshiri's with the roomies later on that evening. Checked out a new club Jointz has started in Hollywood on Sunday afternoons. Can't beat the free stuff. Came back home to bbq again with the roomies and some homies. Do we really have to go to work tomorrow?!

Hobby #101

Oh yeah, forgot one more thing. The new project of the moment - growing new plants: basil, rosemary, mint and chocolate mint. The orchids are still growing strong. I let my African Violets run their life. My little vine from college is still growing strong. I supppose I should move that into a new plant holder sometime soon so it can fill itself out. Maybe I did inheret a green thumb from good old dad. I miss fresh fruits and vegetables. I remember the first time I ate an organic tomatoe, it tasted like the ones I would bite into when I was younger...the ones my mom would buy every Saturday at the farmer's market. Kind of sad. Can't wait to eat some seasonal fruits and vegies from Dad's garden.

Who? Me?

"Every so often the cosmos treats us to a bewitching month, one so special it can only be described as truly breathtaking. Dear Capricorn, precisely this sort of month lies ahead for you. You are a hardworking, ambitious sign, but even you realize from time to time that you need balance."

Nice start to the month, wouldn't you say? It's been about three months since I've transitioned to a new work environment and an all around new work neighborhood. The areas I have worked in are drastically different, down the noise I hear every day come 2 o'clock in the afternoon. From the silence I would hear at my cube, comes the pounding and yelling of little ones excited for another afternoon to paint, internet surf, dance, throw, run, read, talk to their hearts' content. I love the noise. My focus grows as the noise gets louder. I've been told that, in essence, this quality is perfect for one in my new line of work.

So now my work life is in gear. Time to make sure my personal life is just as manageable. I need to get all my projects in line. I've been trying to clean my room in weeks. Seems like this is always the case unless someone special is coming over. I've been this way for ages. I remember being just as busy in high school and my mother yelling at me to clean my room. "But Mom, if I cleaned my room, I would never be able to find anything!" I realize that this would allow me to relax and even think a little more clearly but that's just the way I've always been. Something to work on? Well...yeah. All in due time. I'll kick myself in the ass to get in gear when I feel it's really time to do so. Probably another thing I should think about working on - procrastination. I guess if I really want to be a more productive person, I should certainly pick up the pace a little more.

Starting to ramble...maybe it's time for bed. My eyesight is going a bit. It's starting to get a little more difficult for me to look at the screen. Definitely time for bed before I say something non-coherent.

Truth in History

I was first introduced to Professor Howard Zinn in college through Professor James Taylor's "Race & Ethnic Politics" class. With the many students who had taken Professor Taylor's class, the movement to bring Professor Zinn to campus grew, at least from what I recall. Seeing him speak was one of the few times in my life that I actually felt "starstruck." To see and hear a man who had fought his entire life for labor equality, civil liberties and, of course, social justice, was quite remarkable. It drove my quest to gain more information on how "the system," whether it be capitalism, the great US democratic system, or globalism, can be learned from and changed from within. Being introduced to Professor Zinn and to the concept that justice, in essence, is not always fair, solidifed my own fight for equality.

These types of people are my heros, those who tell the truth about life, about people's experiences, particularly those who have been shun from the dominant society for way too long.

My father was the first. Throughout my lifetime, he has always reminded me of the significance of those who are not always at the top of the economic ladder. Those who toil to bring food from the ground to our tables. Those who perform the most repetitive of jobs simply to ensure that their families and themselves will live as equally as those who have postions that require a bit more grey matter exercise.

To those who continue to speak the truth and fight for it, thank you for your honesty, thank you for your bravery and thank you for your verocity. I pray that you will never lose yourself in the movement or "the system."

On the Contrary

Ain't that about a bitch! I heard praises all morning long about the great event that was put on last weekend that I worked on. Then I get a nice slap in the face to inform me that not everyone was happy. Ah well...you just have to love how much drama people like to raise, especially those who like to do it often, particularly when it comes to raising awareness of a particular person's power. I can't help to feel a little relief towards the potential shift in power that could happen in the next few weeks. Man, that would be the simple, silent and sweet top to this whole situation.

KCRW always makes me feel better. Sabor a Mi, sung by Los Lobos just started. This song always makes me envision a cool summer night, sitting among the trees, reminiscing about some past love, hearing children play in the neighborhood, and just enjoying the life that the Almighty has given me.