Another Chapter Arises

I don’t know how I came out of the previous chapter alive…Somebody must have said a prayer for me, but I may never find out who. I’m beaten up, barely breathing, but I stand tall. All I could do is look up and say thank you. Thank you for the challenge. Even though, I’m sore, scarred, broken, and confused, I feel a whole lot stronger coming out of this difficulty. It was a trial that I had to go through in preparation for the next round.

 

There’s something big coming ahead. I must get refocused for the upcoming task: The journey of 1,000 miles. Another one? I just did 1,000. I’m not complaining, I would do it over 1,000 times again.

 

I’ve failed, but I know that failure leads to victory. For every champion there’s a few loses racked up, that added fuel to the fire. The pain of failure is necessary to appreciate the joy of success. You have to have some sense of urgency in your actions, in waking up, in loving others, and in everything you do because they take you a step closer to glory.

 

“Serial winners will create a chip to put on their shoulder – winning results in more motivation to win again.” –LaVar Johnson.

With newly found hope, I rise. With a new purpose, I run. This is not the end, because in the end mercy and love wins. I keep going. I going back to my roots to rediscover what I once found in the childlike state. As I enter the playgrounds and dig up the sand, I will find the lost treasure with the map that I will need for a better tomorrow.

 

“We’re never going to be effective witnesses of God’s mercy and truth unless we have had a profound encounter with it ourselves.” –Dr. Edward Sri

 

 

Partner in Crime Needed

In this life, you’re offered different chances, careers, jobs, education, and even relationship opportunities. We are filled with a myriad of options that may be quite overwhelming for some. So what do you do at that point? You snap the freak out of it, and make a decision. I accepted the challenge because in the end you only regret the chances you didn’t take. Sometimes we make a “wrong” choice, a “bad” decision, and we suffer the consequences of that selection. So what do you do? You grow the freak up and learn from it, let it form you in humility and faith and move on. Life’s too short people, quit feeling bad and dwelling over decisions, when there’s a championship to be won. The Finals are near and only those who have been tested and gone through hardships will be strong enough to persevere through the end. A true knight and shining armor carries battle wounds. We can’t try to live life perfectly, free of mistakes. I mean life is great when you do. When you’re single, you don’t have to respond to anyone, you’re stress free, and you enjoy spending time and money on building yourself. You are the biggest project that you’ll ever work on as you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Some accomplish this at the age of 20, some at 30 and others not until 40 or 50. It varies from person to person. God has a special plan for every single one of us. Plans to prosper, a promising future and hope. We are not alone though at some point we need community and perhaps a companion. Keep in mind, the ultimate goal is Heaven. The championship is Heaven, so every decision should get us close to reaching that goal. We're sinners striving to become saints. It's a lifelong journey to return home to God.

Truth is, life is meant to be shared. We can sit there and hide in our little bubble or we can openly invite somebody in to join us in this spiritual journey to accomplish the ultimate goal: love and maybe happiness without jeopardizing our ticket to Heaven. That’s why it’s a spiritual journey. That’s why it’s important to be on the same page in Faith. Those who know me know that I’m too competitive. I’m too obsessed about winning, and if you link that together in the spiritual aspect, I’m going to want to choose a partner in crime to get down to business. You know what? I would bet on myself to get the job done. To get my future spouse to Heaven, if God blesses me with kids, them too, and finally myself. That’s our goal. We’re at war. I’m not perfect, but I’d bet on myself to win. To take the last second shot. To properly prepare myself and family to battle for themselves. Anybody can compete on the field and on the court, but can they compete in this spiritual warfare? Can they be a Man of God, practice virtue, be so much in love with God that they will have to really think twice before they sin against Him, and when we fall short because we will, we must really feel guilty and run straight to the confessional. Yes, I said run! When it comes to running, I’d bet on myself. When it comes to receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, I’ve been there plenty of times. A man of God is a Eucharistic man, a man of prayer, a man of love and compassion for others because a man has to bring souls to Christ. A man is Jesus like, and anyone who meets this man should be able to see Jesus through him, and by the power of God have a conversion saying, “If Jesus was a lot like you, I can’t wait to meet Him.” I know I struggle with pride and I can be selfish, but I’m learning to be selfless. You know what? I’d bet on myself to acquire this. Wait? I’m supposed to be humble. Check out this paradox: I’m pretty good at being humble. Hahaha! You know what? Bet on it! I’m not trying to boast intentionally, but I dare you to put money on it. I don’t want to take anything away from this virtue, but God calls us to be fearless, not to be mediocre, and to protect our loves ones. He even trusted an ordinary man like St. Joseph to be the protector of Jesus and Mary who were the only ones conceived without original sin. He trusted him, not a sinless man, and He trusts us to carry on the task that’s within His will. It’s time to bet on ourselves and win, giving all the glory to God. St. Joseph, most chaste spouse, pray for us. Mother Mary pray for us, and in Jesus name I play. This is not a game. This is more than a game. In Jesus name I will win. I know that I'm in the right direction of where God is leading me. I’ll be right back I have work to do, people to love, and a city to build.

San Jacinto 2016

It all started on the day before the first day of school. I was prepping for the big day, when they called me from the office. They told me that I had to teach another course, 7^th Grade regular math in addition to 2 remedial math courses and 2 Spanish 3 Pre AP classes. This new addition was going to be at the expense of one Spanish 3 class unless I recruited 50 students to take the exam and pass. They almost made it impossible, I failed to get required number and was left with only one Spanish 3 course instead of 2, a 7^th grade math class, 2 Math 180 courses, an ISS period, 8^th grade athletics, and 7^th grade athletics. I talked to the Foreign Language director at MISD, but there was nothing she could do for me. I had no choice but to accept for the good of the kids. After all, everything that I’ve done for the past decade was for the San Jacinto kids. Everything! They told me that I couldn’t coach cross country this year since I was already a football coach in the fall. The high school coach did not let that happened. I was able to coach and fit practice in my daily schedule early in the morning before football. Our meets were every Saturday, a weekend day that we sacrificed, but we competed. We were hands down the best in the city, and we showed it during the meets. Placing number 2 or 3 every time for both boys and girls divisions. Football season was a struggle but we were able to win a few on Monday nights for 8^th grade and on Tuesday nights for 7^th grade. Basketball season kicked off and I had the honor to coach the 8^th grade basketball A Team. The struggle came from dealing with 2 injured players and one player forced to move because his transfer was revoked. The team competed anyway every Monday or Thursday night. In track season, we were City Champions. We coached one of the greatest track teams out there. My long distance runners were, no doubt in my mind, the hardest workers. Soccer began and they told me that I couldn’t coach it even though the boys were going to have 2 teams since I have already done 4 sports. I told them that I would coach this 5^th sport for free. I did! We had to play the number 1 seed in the tournament since we finish last in the regular season, but took them to overtime and fell short on penalty kicks. It was a great way to end the season despite our shortcomings, we put up a fight and gave the other team a good scare.

Overall, I know my students did great on the STAAR, and we continue to learn and grow. I wouldn’t want to teach or coach anyone else or anywhere else. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Even the knuckle heads. Everything I did this year: the sacrifices; growth spiritually; and pilgrimages was for them. To bring something back, to share the graces with them. I wanted to give them something more than just knowledge and treats, and field trips. I wanted to give them more important things. I wanted to give them everything I had even if I didn’t have much. I wanted to be there for them. I just wanted them to be happy, and learn obedience, be hard workers, and good Christians. I wanted to model that for them. I wanted to share the good news to them. That love was our mission. To never quit trying, never quit getting better. To clean up their attitude because that just led to self-destruction. To want to be the best. Having the pride and desire to be number one in the district even though the odds were against them. Having that underdog attitude to endure and conquer. I wanted them to have it all, even if it meant them hating me. Even if I had to step down and not take credit for anything, or appreciated, or loved. As long as they were the benefactors, as long as it was for their good, and as long as they were happy. With God in their life, they could end up on top of the world. They will be able to overcome all the struggles in the world. They will one day handle relationships better than me, be smarter, more athletic, and receive more graces from God. It was not about me this year. Even if I had to be the bad guy, it was not about me. It was about their well-being. It was about our Lord and Savior. Of course their young minds do not understand that right now, but one day they will. When that day comes, I don’t want them to remember me or thank me, I want them to thank God for loving them, for having mercy, and for granting them all the blessings in the world. That’s my ultimate wish for these kids. That God fulfill the desires of their hearts and that they receive not just some blessings, but ALL the blessings in the world.  There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there is sacrificing everything. Everything that I’ve done for the past decade was for the San Jacinto kids. Everything! I would teach as many courses as possible. I will coach every sport possible and work as many hours possible, even if it seems impossible. Even if I fail. I will leave no stone unturned. I would do it over and over again for them! I love every single one of them. Yes, I said every single one of them. #SJ4Life

#ThankYouKobe

20 years have gone by. I’ve learned so many things from this living legend named Kobe Bean Bryant a.k.a. the Black Mamba. His work ethic is unreal and unmatched by any person. How can a person perfect his craft with that kind of intensity every single day? You have to have an obsessive trait about you and that never giving up attitude to become better. Kobe called it Mamba Mentality back in 2013 when he suffered his first of three season ending injuries that would eventually lead to his retirement. His workaholic attribute was his gift and his curse because it broke down his body to the point where he could no longer dominate the game with that same killer instinct every night. However, still managed to play with the elites and show them why he’s been the best without being a 100%. His heart and mind were in it, but his body was saying no. Hence, he played his last game on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. What a dramatic finish. I knew he was going to aim for 50 points, but he finished with 60. It was a season high for any current NBA basketball player, a record for the oldest to ever score that many, and a record for the most ever scored by a single player on their last game. He gave you that extra mile. I’ve never been disappointed by this athlete because he always gave it all he had. That’s what he will be remembered by, especially in his final game, that he left everything out on that basketball court. In a world full of imposters, deceivers, and indolent people, Kobe always brought his best and that’s what I admired the most. I hope I can do the same, bring my best and offer it. We have to be that person. A living breathing reminder to believe in better things. We have to have that superhero mindset, at the expense of being perceived as the villain. As long as God is in the center of our actions, He will allow us be a part of his will to bring joy to others. We have to be that hope. We have to be that example.

With Kobe’s retirement, he begins a new chapter in his life, but personally my chapter continues, my season approaches its finale and I move into the off season to perfect my craft, to grow, but most importantly to serve others. I will continue to follow Kobe Bryant in all of his future endeavors, buy and wear his shoes and other products. I will still look for him for continued motivation. He has always been like a brother to me. My love for Kobe will never change because of what he has done for me personally. Like he closed in his retirement letter, “My love for this city, this team and for each of you will never fade. Thank you for this incredible journey.”

Dear Kobe, #ThankYouKobe for 20 great years, growing up with you as a teenager, a high school basketball player, an undergraduate student, a junior high teacher and coach, a graduate student, and an athlete I learned so much from you. You have been the greatest of all time. Not because:

You have won 5 championships

2 Finals MVP awards

2 scoring titles

2 gold medals

18 time NBA All Star

4 All Star MVPs

Led all players in All Star votes

Regular season MVP

3^rd in the all-time scoring list

20 years loyal to the same team

Sold more merchandise and tickets

Had more fans on the road chanting your name and “MVP”

Slam dunk champion

Multiple game winning baskets

Scored 81 points in a single game

Scored at least 40 against every team in every arena, etc. etc. etc…

Beyond what you have accomplished on the court I will never forget what you have done outside the basketball court. What I valued most was that unlike others, not only have you been a champion, but you have saved your marriage and loved your family; as a person of faith, you have acknowledge and credited all to God and to your Catholic faith; without a college education you have studied multiple languages, acquired knowledge in business from university level work, and build a passion for story writing. That’s what makes you the best that you were able to perform anywhere and excel especially when and where it mattered most. That’s why I know you will do a great job in this next chapter in your life. God has a special plan for you because He knows the impact you have on people. God bless you Kobe! “Mamba OUT” but I know that a different animal but the same beast is “IN”.

 

Easter 2016

Happy Easter! Today is the day that we celebrate the reason for our Christianity. It was a great lent season. Somewhat exhausting, but beautiful because of what God put in front of us. Track season, Pope Pilgrimage, Spring Break, retreats, workouts for summer ready, fellowship during fish-fry Fridays, more time for family, beautiful storms followed by amazing weather, new movie releases this time of year including Christian movies, etc. What a beautiful time to grow, evangelize, be alive, and celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. Lent provides challenges, but through those you can grow and get closer to God, and that’s what it is all about. I know I’ve made mistakes and struggled, but we all do, but what a great reminder and opportunity to seek our Savior. Things that I collected online:

“We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another. We are all citizens of heaven on a trip abroad. Christ is your passport home. Don’t lose Him. A meaningful life is not being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect…it is about being real, being humble, being strong and being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others.”

I don't know why I’ve been thinking a lot about my mother lately…She just keeps appearing in my thoughts and dreams. I just miss her because she was the first, and only woman at this point, to ever truly love me. She showed me what love was about, so I experienced it firsthand every single day for a couple of years, and that was enough…Jesus showed us what love was about when He died on the cross and that love story continues 2,000 years later. God sent us a mother to nurture us and to intimately experience unconditional love just to get a taste of how much God loves us. Nothing compares to God’s love, and at the same time, nothing compares to a mother’s love, and a son’s love for his mother. That’s God sent. In the movie Batman vs Superman, the two superheroes battled, but what united them was the love they both had for their own mothers. A son’s love for their mother is very powerful. I believe it because I lived it. I thank God every day for giving me a mother like her. She was tough as nails, she was very versatile, the jack of all traits, and was very loving to all people. To think about the many lessons she left behind. I figured out why I love to work out and be strong, why I love challenges, why I received multiple degrees, why I’m close to God, and love others. It’s because through all my actions, it reminds me of her. I’m a small reflection of her. It’s because of her, that I love God. He constantly sends me reminders of her, He even allows her to visit me in my sleep. Just like our Blessed Mother Mary points us to her son, my mother has done a good job pointing me to God. I sit here today, forever grateful. As I open myself up to God’s will, not mine, I pray that he grants me mercy and peace because only He can give us the love that nobody else can give. That’s why I try to be joyful, be positive, and have gratitude even as a single man. When you have God in your heart, you have everything you need. May God fulfill us all with everything we need and may His love reign forever. Amen.

Season of Opened Doors!

Everything that I'm doing this year is unbelievable. I'm in the best shape of my life, but not just physically. I've grown spiritually, I've socialized more, and I'm spending more time with friends and family. I'm being more giving and considerate to others. I have a great relationship with all my coworkers. Not that all of the above wasn't existent already, it's just at a higher level than ever before. It's amazing! God is working through me. I've heard it this week, "The Lord is perfecting everything that concerns me." I'm plowing the field and the rain keeps coming. It's important to remain positive, stay in a state of grace, and maintain not a good but a great prayer life. That means to forgive our trespasses. I know that everything is easier said than done, and with that comes pain and suffering. I'd rather suffer if it means that the ones I love are blessed. I love pain. Pain makes me stronger. The world will knock you down, sometimes flat on your face, and all I could say is thank you and bring it. "Greater is He who is within me." It's easy to quit, but I've said it once and I'll continue to say it, the best things is life, the most beautiful things, the riches things in life, are challenging. "I'd give in for what's around me, if it wasn't for the spirit that's within me." God has a special way of piecing everything together. It's unbelievable that he brought me this far. It's everything that I had imagined plus way more. Let it always be His will and not mine. "Just my luck, things will work out." They always do. Like my mother always said, "Dios es muy grande." My God is bigger than life, He created it. Bigger than death, He conquered it. Fear is false evidence appearing real. "I am created in God's image, my thoughts transform me." I am made for this. I can do this. Living as if everything is a miracle. I believe. I trust in The Lord. This is the Season of Opened Doors!

The Learning Process

I learn a lot during road trips. Most recently, I've learned the following:

1. I learned that some people are real with you and some are not. They eventually reveal themselves as if they were transparent. It's not your fault or theirs. Some people are meant to cross paths, but not necessarily stay. They push themselves away, and that's a good thing.

2. I learned that some things never change. If you appreciate the bad times, then you can appreciate the good times. By separating yourself from the negative bad people or things, then you allow the positive good people or things to find you. If you're not happy when you're poor, then you won't be happy when you're rich. Some people are just miserable and they need help, but we can't always help them no matter how much they cry to us. They have to figure it out and help themselves. 

3. I learned that some women are simply beautiful. There are many singles especially in big cities. That these beautiful single women actually like single guys regardless of social status, income, class education or race. People will love you for you, the real you, with all your greatness and flaws.

4. I learned to make great decisions. Quality versus quantity. Long term investments are great. Make memories. Communicate, communicate, communicate, because that's the professional way. Water over soda. 

5. I learned that some people will not like how you are and there's nothing you can change about that. Forgive and forget them. See 1 and 2. If they are committed to misunderstanding you, then it's a waste of time to explain to them your intentions. Keep doing you, the better version of you. Be so busy loving the people that love you that you won't have time for those that don't. 

6. I learned that old friends that stayed loyal and never disrespected you are lifelong buddies. Stay in touch and share time with those one in a million types of people. They know you, they accept you, so keep them. 

7. I learned that Los Angeles, CA is the best city in the world. The environment, entertainment, food, people, culture, location etc. does not compare with any other. It's not even close. To live and die in L.A.

8. I learned that God has a purpose for my life. Everything will happen in His time and that I'm in Midland, TX to fulfill a temporary duty for Him. 10 years of service may be my last straw. Kobe retires and I'm gone just for fun. It was all fun! 

9. I will always be there for my siblings, and vice versa. We may not agree with one another, but we understand and love each other. A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. They all have done this. Maybe one day I will do the same, but our love will never end. We are the same blood. Our hearts have the same beautiful beat that our mother's had, we've all heard it before we came into this life.

10. I learned that I'm Dominguez with a pinch of Nunez so don't fwm. "Soy Dominguez, pero no me chingues." Sorry I won't apologize for being me or should I say like her (María De Jesus Domínguez). I'm not perfect, but why not strive for perfection. My Church is not a place where saints gather, it's a place where sinners are seeking their Savior. 

11. Lastly, I learned that I'm God's boy. He spoils me. I'm blessed because He loves me, I belong to Him because I've been baptized in His name. He blesses the righteous. Everyday I do His work. All of my accomplishments are because of Him. He gets all the glory. He uses me to bless others. Not perfect, but His grace is greater than any flaw. People may hate me for my imperfections, but people also love me for them. God did not put us in this world to be average. We are all meant to shine in His light. God is love. 

The Promise Land

“I've been to the mountain top…I've seen the Promise Land.” –MLK

What do you do when you have reached the top?

Enjoy the view, then climb down so that you can climb up another one. 

How do I know if I'm climbing up or down?

Your hunger will answer that question.

Becoming You

Be fearless of rejection.

Be fearless of failure.

Be fearless of who does this kid think he is?

Art is risk!



Doing what others are too scared to do.

Love your body, but glorify God with your body.

Life isn't about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself.

The pressure is off of you! Because it's not about you! It's about Jesus.







Great message...Understanding other's perspectives, especially from a young mind's point of view. That makes sense for kids, that's how I teach them. That's what I figured out for myself being a minor and raised in California, and it WORKS for me. If only the rest of the world, including Texas understood that also, then we will move forward and not backwards. One thing we all can agree: be the hardest worker in the room and have faith.

Become You! Nobody else is good at being you, except you. You are especial. I love you. I really do.

Different animal, same beast! All glory to God!

Where are You?

I fall in love everyday with a girl I probably haven't met yet.

It’s beautiful, the way it all plays out. God knew the importance of creating Eve and the impact she would have on Adam. “Eve, God’s finishing touch. And all Adam can say is ‘Wow’ (Eldredge 37).”

The time appears closer than what it seems. Ready or not
here she comes. I’ve fought for her. I’ve gone into the wilderness without her
because God created men for adventure, battle and beauty.

She is all the motivation I need to continue to live a prosperous and wholesome life. She makes me become a better man and challenges me to jump hurdles just to get to her. We all deserve someone who makes us look forward to tomorrow.

Preparation time. She’s coming! Quick grab my clothes from the cleaners, clear my schedule, make the reservations, light the candles, and get ready.

Battle to Fight and Beauty to Rescue

"The world will give you that once in a while, a brief time out; the boxing bell rings and you go to your corner, where somebody dabs mercy on your life." -Ukad

It is time. It is time to get back in the ring. After all the studying, training, and rest it is time to answer this call. It has been a while, but the world thirsts for it. During this rejuvenation process savages were taking over lands and people were destroying people. It is time. New battles, new beginnings, new friendships, new life, renewed strength. It's time to rebuild. It's Rehab Time!

Time to purify the waters. Time for war. This is the battle I enjoy fighting. As the undefeated knight I must step out into to the front lines. Some will be intimidated and some won’t even budge, but I’m properly trained for both scenarios.

Time to take back what belongs to God and protect His people. One by one these lost sheep will return to their shepherd. There’s millions needing to be rescued. How are we going to rescue all of them? One by one and day by day. What if they don’t want to be rescued? Love them anyway. We’re the only bible they may ever read.

 

The army has grown is less than a year. We come in great numbers to love and serve. Like superheroes in broad daylight, people notice our presence. It is no longer me anymore, it is we. Thanks be to God. We are the new Adventures ready to save the world.

 

Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. - Fr. Pedro Arrupe

Inspirational video of the summer:

 

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. -Philippians 4:8 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for Us!

St. Joseph, Pray for Us!

St. Michael the Archangel, Pray for Us!

Mother's Day

Written on 5/12/2013: There's this void. Emptiness feeling. The most frustrating part is not having her here with me. We would be living it up with no more worries. We would be motivating each other and enjoying one another's presence. Traveling the world. Doing whatever, whenever. Let’s go to church, let’s pray for our families, our enemies and for the bear. Everyone else has their mom or a spouse or someone there. I just feel alone in this world. This is just what I have to do. God blessed me with the most wonderful mother in the world and that led to me today. I wouldn't trade her for anyone else. Even though I feel lonely not having her around. If they were to tell me you can have a mother for 50 years or you can have your mother for 19 years. I would chose my mother over and over again.

Oh-oh-oh I, I hope your dancing in the sky

and I hope your singing in the angels choir

I hope the angels, know what they have

I bet it's so nice up in heaven since you've arrived

We already know how beautiful a mother’s love is. This year, marks year number eleven and twelve without her physically present. The only day that I dread going to mass on Sunday is on Mother’s Day. Everyone, young and old, is accompanied by their mother, grandmother, or maybe even the mother of their children. I’m just sitting there like, #turnup. I reflected last year on this. I only had her for nineteen years, but if God would have asked me: you can have another woman to be your mother for fifty or eighty years or Maria De Jesus Dominguez for nineteen, I would chose my “Chiquita” 100 of 100 times without hesitation.

Your mother is always with you...

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks.

She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside your laughter.

She's crystallized in every tear drop...

She's the place you came from, your first home...

She's the map you follow with every step that you take.

She's your first love and your first heart break....

and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, Not space...

Not even death.... will ever separate you from your mother....

You carry her inside of you....

-Anonymous

 

Mass wasn’t so bad this year. God made me feel comfortable. I even dressed up more than usual. It was a special day. After all, I met everyone’s mother on Instagram today, so they had to meet mine, the women who gave birth to a star. All jokes aside, I have mentioned time and time again how special my mom is to me. I miss her more every day, but I know she is watching over us. Momma’s prayers are the reason a lot of us are still here.

San Jacinto 2014...

175 days per year. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon. 175 days of glory and failure. It is filled with wins and losses, joy and disappointment. 175 days of starting over. Back to square one moments, yesterday doesn’t matter anymore and tomorrow is too far away. 175 days of love and hate. Your name is either followed by lovely compliments or ugly misperceptions. 175 days of persevering and enduring. Delivering hits while receiving them in front of eye witnesses. 175 days of laughter and tears. Despite the setbacks or the judgment, I can proudly say that there are far more achievements and praise that make it all worth it and keep me alive.

The question that I always ask myself is: do I have what it takes? My answer is always, absolutely. I have to figure this out. God opens the doors for me. Why not include Him in my everyday battles. After all, He is always there because these are His children. For some reason I’m the cool, hip, and rich uncle of these youngsters. Also, my approach is more philosophical rather than political, and that’s where I run into a brick wall. In spite of this, I’m either going to run around it, over it, or through it. I’m running, and this is where the chapter continues. No pauses, no breaks, no switching books because when the next page is turned, I’m still here at San Jacinto. There is no ending! The covers change, book gets edited, but it’s the same underdog story of a 13 year old kid from California, who once step foot in these once foreign hallways, wearing Kobe Bryant sneakers, with one mission.

In 1997, I was in that library and walked away with all of those awards: Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, Student of the Six Weeks, Math Student of the Month, Social Studies Student of the Month, English Student of the Month, Most Improved, etc. Can one person get this much recognition? Afterwards, I was receiving my mother’s blessing right before I kissed her on the cheek and said thank you because as a reward, she handed me the Nick Van Exel Lakers jersey that I wanted. My godfather was there. He witnessed it 17 years ago and is witnessing it right now, since he is living in my house. It is funny how this story goes. I was in English class first period paying attention to every word Mrs. Dunn said. In Mrs. Morren’s Algebra class getting the highest grade in the class, and in advisory doing my homework.  I was in Mrs. Terrazas’ Science class working with the smartest kid in the school. I was in Computer class, typing with my eyes closed. I was in lunch, next to my twin brother, isolated from everyone, standing against the walls of the patio, answering questions, and observing everybody else. In P.E. I was scoring buckets and defending all the best players, Coach picked me first one day, I was never the last pick ever again. I was in Art with my brother, impressing people with yet another hidden talent. At the end of the day, I was in Social Studies class with Coach Alvarez receiving all the attention in the world. I had to finish the day on a positive note. I had to impress them. I had to do everything in my power. I had to do my very best. No one else was doing it. Can a student of such caliber exist in today’s world? Is this what chasing perfection looks like? I was willing to set a name for myself. That’s what I was born to do. I was willing to give San Jacinto a try. They saw it! They witnessed it! These people will also. History will repeat itself. This is my school!

Frog Story

Two frogs fell into a deep hole. A crowd of frogs gathered around the opening looking down without hope. The two frogs tried jumping out, but they were not strong enough. The crowd started yelling to give up their efforts because it was a waste of their time and they were doomed. One of the frogs listened, gave up and died shortly after. The other frog kept trying to hop over to the surface. The shouts continued, but the frog kept attempting his escape. They told the frog to quit because there was no way he was going to get out. More and more gathered around yelling at the helpless frog. The frog made huge leap and jumped out of the hole. Afterwards, they asked him why he wouldn’t listen to their cries and what gave him to confidence to keep trying despite the negative remarks. The frog told them that he was deaf and that he actually thought that they were encouraging him or cheering him on the entire time. He was determined to get out because he felt supported. Words can be powerful. Good or bad, they can have an effect on people. The message here is to encourage one another and together we can accomplish amazing feats. Seek influential people in your life to help you reach the top and ignore the naysayers. Jump! Jump! You can do it! You got this!

I also heard another story about a frog who received a kiss from a princess and turned into a prince...To be continued...

Cry Later, Smile Now

I have it all backwards! I would be a bad cop simply because I wouldn’t give tickets to anybody. Don’t get the wrong idea here, I would definitely fight crime. I would study and track down all those you are causing harm to me, my love ones, and our community, but I would leave everyone else alone to go about their business. I would pull people over just to educate them and let them know about the traffic laws. Why would I give parking tickets especially on those especial event days that parking tickets are mostly given? Why would I pull people over when they are speeding just a few miles over the speed limit? I wouldn’t cut breaks, but I would make sure that I help those in need. This is against the law enforcement guidelines. I would make a terrible cop. I am not a cop.

I would make a bad principle simply because nobody would be suspended or anything similar to that punishment. I would educate those who need help with discipline and model by example. I would have mercy on all students and at the same time give them some type of consequence for their action. I would definitely remove them from distracting the learning environment and as a principle I would have to be the teacher and teach them the lesson or hire someone designated to do that. They will learn the academic school lesson, and at the same time to obey. I would be teaching during different hours, whether it is morning tutorials, or afterschool, and delegate other administration duties to assistant principals, etc. I would promote lifelong learning and education so that everyone grows a hunger for it to improve. Who doesn’t want to get stronger, faster, and smarter? Maybe this system is discouraging and will not work. I would make a terrible principal. I am not a principal.

I make a bad authority figure. Some say that it’s hard to take me serious, but I say it’s hard not to take me serious if they only knew what I have to offer them. I bring a lot to the table. Experience, loyalty, and champion are written all over me. You have to take me serious even if I’m joking with you because if you don’t then you are the joke. Nobody wants to be a “scrub”, do they? After all, 95% of discipline issues come from people who want attention, so I don’t think they impress anybody with rachetness . When you demand attention you act up, talk back, become an unpleasant class clown, and you defeat the purpose of the attention that you’re trying to attain. I would strongly advise you to take me serious because I may know something that you don’t know that you are desperately and secretly are seeking to obtain.  My methods are concrete. You’re not going to stop the sun from shining. The night doesn’t last as long as the day. I’m trying to make an important point here. Be the day, light, shine, that people look forward to seeing and being a part of and at the same time dreaming about at night.

Do my methods work? Probably not, but they’re justifiable.

Do your methods work? Probably not, but they’re justifiable right?

Whatever you do, do it with a smile (positive attitude) and it magically works. This is what college teaches all educators: If you believe it works, then by golly it works. Sell your product. Additionally for any doubters, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.

If you need to go to war, I’m going with you. AND WE WILL WIN.