The picture you see was taken last friday outside of The Hearth up in Spokane Washington. I would write more about my weekend but I'm too tired to do that right now. So, I'll hold unitl tomorrow. There is only one thing I have to say is that it feels good to be home.

I thought I was going to be out of internet for the whole weekend but only until Sunday. I'm in the Evergreen state and it feels good. Tonight was awsome meeting and connecting time. In the bunch of people I met tonight there are some good people doing work around the globe. I'm really excited to be here and to make connections with these young people.
Tomorrow morning i'm having breakfast with people from Jubilee. They are up here in Spokane for track finals. After that we drive up to Camp Spalding for the rest of the weekend to have our conference. I'm excited to be having some friends come see me on Sunday. Glenn you are the man. never in my life will I forget the time when I dropped out of Jubilee because they wanted me to shave. And you and Cheryl followed me home and spent like two hours listening to me rumble about my feelings. I'm going to be telling the story about how you were telling me that if I wanted you would shave your mustache off If It would encourage me to shave and go back to Jubilee. Thanks mijo Glenn. HaHaHa.

My friend is coming to pick me up in a half to drop me off at Burbank airport. I'm going to Spokane Washington for the weekend to be part of a conference put on by the Krista Foundation (if you google it you can find it). I'm coming back on Monday night. Happy memorial day weekend.

Without me having to prove to my professor the difference between Norteño and Tejano she came out and admitted to the class that there was a difference. So there you go. I've found that in a few classes. Where the professor assumes that no one in the class knows much about Mexico or immigration and they'll make comments that are completly true. Gotta speak up if you want justice for people.

Today has been along day. I got going early, went to class reviewed for the final this coming week and afterwards worked on a group presentation for Speech. I'm not looking forward to class tomorrow. Our teacher is covering 'Latin' music (Latin:Italians, Hispanics: Spanish, Mexican: Sergio) I don't like people labeling all Spanish speaking people Latinos or Hispanics. Well, my music teacher is covering "Latin" music. And she said that Tejano and Norteña music is the same. To me is not. And I said that there was a difference so tomrrow she wants me to prove to her the difference. I don't even want to deal with that. Just thinking about it pisses me off. She got mad cause I made that comment. No me importa!

Getting ready to go to school. I got Interpersonal Communications today and I'm curious what crazy thing or teacher is going to do today. Lastime we met she moved the final a week ahead. So, we are taking it this coming week instead of in two weeks. Its all good. That day I'm doing my group presentation and taking the final. I hope she doesnt expect me and my group to come to class after wednesday since we would be technically done. On Thursday I have to prove to my music teacher that tejano and norteño music is different, why did I open my mouth. I think is becuase Tejano is American and Norteño is Mexican. She covered the music of Latin America last time we met and got a few mistakes in. But I give her credit even though her work is not completly true.
I

Que tired estoy. I had a long day today. Got up at 5:45am, got ready for my day. Started off by driving to Sunland to meet with Ramiro. The meeting was good we are going to be meeting on mondays to do decipleship stuff. Looked over some scripture. After that drove to school got there 20 minutes early so I sat outside the classroom while class started. A few minutes later my friend Adriana showed up. She said my eyes looked very intriguing (spll?), I was like orale. Not too long after that Mauricio showed up and we started talking about our presentation. We chose the topic on language. My focus is on language in boy's friendships. Does any one got any ideas. I'm lost.

After class I went to burlington coat factory to see if they had a brown blazer jacket but they didn't. I really want one of those. Its not usual for me to be looking for stuff like that. After that I came home and minutes later Pollo showed up we hung out and I asked him if he could mow the lawn for 5 bucks. He agreed. We talked about meeting once a week to go over scripture and pray together. He said sure. After that I went to tutor the 3rd and 4th grade class. That didn't go well today. It was not good, almost all the kids were acting up and being disrespectful. Mauricio and Rosalyin showed up around 5:30 to work on our work project for Speech. That went on for a while. Around 7pm Gabriel showed up needing a ride to get home in eastlos. He waited until 9:30 so I could take him. Drove to eastlos dropped him off and then drove to south pasadena and dropped of Mauricio then I finally came home. Now I'm here writing en el journal about what went on en este day.

Tomorrow I have my music cultures of the world class. I'll tell you how it went tomorrow.

I'm sitting here with my boy 12 year old Fernando. We are listening to Cross Movement's 'Driven' I like this song not only for the lyrics but also for the music. They use the Turkish flute called Zurna. I was thinking about how when I was younger we used to pack in to cars so we could go places with the family. And when a cop came on sight someone would always be like get down 'ay viene el chota'. I find myself saying the same thing sometimes. When I'm taking kids to the movies or just going to some spot even to church, when there is too many to fit I gotta remind them of el chota and tell them to get down. The things you have to do when you are in ministry. I need a bigger car. Marcus just walked in to the room trying to get a portable jelly candy.

I was on my way home from class listening to the song 'waiting in vain' by Bob Marley. The song is about a man not wanting to wait in vain for this woman's love. I flipped and was thinking about Jesus and waiting until I get to go to heaven. I don't want to be waiting in vain. If i'm not doing something productive in my life working on being part of the kingdom and glorifying God I see as as doing something in vain. A though came to mind about not saying the the Lords name in vain. I wonder if what that meant was that if God was saying if you aint' even trying to follow me keep my name from your mouth.

I'm working on an assignment do this coming wednesday for my speech class. Its a reaction paper to the movie 'Philadelphia'. The movie is about a homosexual lawyer who becomes infected by the aids virus and is fired by the lawfirm he works for. The story develops into a moving court trial.

SERGIO ANNUAL CARNE ASADA
Well, it was goooood. Lots of carne and lots of food. I hope all had a good time and had enough food.

Its kind of late, usually by this time already far in my sleep. I guess coffee does work. As I wait for Tiffany and Pastor Victor to arrive from La Villita Community Church in Chicago I'm reading about German cinema and Hitler. With my faithful sailormoon by my side.
My sister and her son arrived. It feels good having family support around for at least a little while. We talked for a long time had dinner together, caught up on things. It was good. I love my sister and her son. My friend Wendy came over to meet my sister and Peydria came down from upstairs to have dinner with all of us. And during dinner Sam Wu from up the street came over. We had a full dinner table it was good.

Tomorrows plan:
6:30am-get up and get ready for the day. Pray and read the Word.
7:00am-shower got to starbucks get iced cofee sweeten two pumps only and study before calss
8:20am-Early Film History with Proffersor Keast
12:00pm-come home eat lunch and go to after school program
6:00pm-head over to Azusa have dinner with friends, bring Mimi and Calvin along
8:00pm-come back home

Its good to have family around. My sister and her fiver year old son Calvin just got in this morning. I had to miss class but it was worth it. She is resting right now and i'm hanging out with Calvin. In a little we are heading over to the center to be with the kids.

Drove out to Santa Monica. Hung out at the promenade and at the pier. While at the pier a young white girl walks to one of the guys I was hanging out with and asks him if she can have his boxers. We were like what? Very consistant she kept on trying to get him. Until one of the sisters that was with us tells her that she is asking the wrong people. She tells her that we are a bunch of saved Christians. The girl stops her perseverance in trying to get some stinky chonies. She says that she is a believer herself. I told her that we couldn't give her chonies but we could pray for her and we did. I love God's divine appointments. Her name is Melissa if you remember to pray for her do. She needs big help.

D12's and J-Kwon's new albums
Early today I met a cat that works for the managment team that manages Eminems D12 and J-Kwon. I didn't know this when I met him but when I was checking out he asked me if I had the new D12 and J-kwan's new albums. I was like nah man I don't, he said hold up, Went to his car and handed me a couple of new albums. It took me by surprise. So, I have the new D12 and the new J-kwan. Ya heard.

Michelle told me about Nick Berg last night. She said the decapitation was on the net live. And rudy had a post on it this morning. It brings feelings of sadness to have to see all these things. I feel for the family. We are not doing things right, there is too much hate in the world. May God help those in service over seas.

I'm getting ready to go in class and take my test. The plan was to review my notes before going to class but to my surprise I forgot them at home. So, I went over the chapters in the book.

My sister is leaving this morning at 9am and her and her son will be here tomorrow early in the morning. Please pray for their safety. God bless.

Does anyone know who Mauricio Cienfuegos is? On my way back from studying I stopped at starbucks to pick up my housemate a vanilla creme frap. Well, in front picking up a couple of venti vanilla lattes was he. It was cool. I talked to him for a few minutes. He lives here in Pasadena and he is taking a break for now while he prepares to coach. He mentioned that the galaxy is gonne have a friendly goodbye game in a few months.

Work was good. Today was a bit different. I was talking to the kids I tutor, since we were all there and talking I thought maybe we should do something productive. So, I proceded to tell them that I had a test tomorrow on speech, and asked them to pray for me. When they went home tonight some time. Instead of doing that. They all gathered around me laid hands on me and pray over me. I though it was rather honoring. Seeing how I give them a hard time about doing their homwork but regardless they did it. It made me happier that they would do that. We don't find many children 3rd and 4th grade whom do those type of prayers.

Later after program hours they parents came over to the house for flip. Which is parenting training and they do it at my house. Well, I don't know if you remember, about the sleepover I had last week. I guess one of the kids gave me a twenty dollar bill and I only gave him five dollars back. So, the parents confronted me about it. They thought it wasn't fair that he had to spend $15 while the rest of the kids only spent $5. I apologized for not being more attentive about that. I didn't tell them that some of the kids didn't have any money at all. I'm giving this kdis grandma $10 so they wont trip on me anymore. I figure it was the right thing to do.

Kite by U2

Something Is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it means

I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to live
And when I'm flat on my back
I hope to feel like I did

And hardness
It sets in
You need some protection
The thinner the skin

I want you to know
That you don't need me anymore
I want you to know
You don't need anyone
Or anything at all

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know
Which way the wind will blow

Who's to know when the time has come around
Don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

It's summer, I can taste the salty sea
There's a kite blowing out of control on the breeze
I wonder what's gonna happen to you
You wonder what has happened to me

I'm a man
I'm not a child
A man who sees
The shadow behind your eyes

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know
Where the wind will blow

Who's to know when the time has come around
I don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

Did I waste it
Not so much I couldn't taste it
Life should be fragrant
Rooftop to the basement

The last of the rock stars
When hip hop drove the big cars
In the time when new media
Was the big idea
That was the big idea


This song makes me think about my dad a lot. I've been away from home for about 5 years now. About six months after I came down here my mom told me that she found my dad crying. She said that he was telling her that he felt like we had all left him. He was talking about me and my brothers. I was the last one to leave home. Which was difficult for him. Everytime I visit home and I get ready to leave he is the last one I hugh. I cry everytime. Its going to be about 10 months since the last time I talked to him. I miss the guy. There is a chance i might get to see them at the end of this month. I'm looking forward to that.

Krista Foundation Conferance
I'm flying to Spokane Washington on the 28th of this month for this conference. My friend Glenn Cross nominated me for a grant from this foundation. They accepted me and are granting me. They hold an annual conference where we will explore the complexities of being a global citizen, am super excited about flying up there. One because i'm going to meet the foundation in person, two is not far from my family, I'll get a chance to do network with people around the country and globally, who knows I might have to flee the country and can take refugee somewhere around the world. I got the letter of acceptance in the mail today from Valerie the foundations front person. Thanks Val, looking forward to meeting you.

I have a test tomorrow in Interpersonal communication. Iced coffee and textbooks for me tonight. All night. Pray for me.

Harambee's Family Room
I'm in the family room waiting for the afterschool to start which will in about 20 minutes. The Family room is an awsome spot. Very spacious it has carpet and several bookshelves with plenty of books to read. Me, Peydria, Leslie, and marcos are watching Rebecca teach the Harambee kids a song on an old African instrument called the xylophone. I wonder how many people of the people that read this blog know that this house in which hold our sunday meetings, teach the children bible lessons, hang out, study, eat together, used to be used as a crack house and as a prostitution parlor.

AMA TE QUIERO MUCHO Y TE EXTRANO CON TODO MI CORAZON. FELIZ DIA DE LAS MADRES!!!

Sitting in my living room eating some enchiladas Kathy made from accross the street watching Pedria play Harry Potter's Quidditch. Tipton just walked in, Tipton his wife and their daughter are spending the week with me because their floors are getting worked on at their house. Its going to be a full house this week. Alright. In minute i'm going to take a shower and head over to starbucks to study for an interpesonal communication test I have on wednesday.

MY SISTER AND HER SON ARE COMING....Both are coming this coming wednesday to visit from Washington State. I'm very excited because I have not seen family since last August. There is a special bond I feel I have with my sister and my nephew. All the memories I have from childhood are about spending time with my sister, even pictures of childhood are all with her holding me or carrying me.
I love her son very dearly. She had him out of wedlock and wasn't too sure if she wanted to have him or not. I fought with her to the end about not having an abortion and she didn't. My nephews name is Calvin. She had him and for the first year of his life I helped her watch after him. I remember praying over him while I held him. A year after that happened she moved in with the Calvin's father who was very abusive to them both. It took a lot of courage but I got her to leave him. Sometimes people get stuck in a moment and they can't see the way they hurt themselves. I see it everyday. They have both been living with my parents. He is turning five and on his way to start school in September. I'm happy they are both spending a week down here.

I went to Hunington hospital here in Pasadena today. I went to visit Christian one of the boys I work with. His appendix erupted and had to get it taken out. They are keeping him in there for four days until the doctors drain all the puss that came out of his appendix. It was good seeing him, not seeing him like that but visiting with him. I brought him a stuffed animal to keep him company. His mom has been staying with him and I think he has to stay for another four days. I asked him if he wanted me to bring him anything. He said he wanted a comic or something like that. I'm gonne pick up a kids magazine or something and one of my city my god bibles.
Tomorrow, I'm taken Christian's brother and sister to the beach after church. Their mom asked me to watch them for her I said sure. I think Flo and my boy Marcos who is visiting from the La Villita Church in Chicago are coming with us. Its going to be a good sunday.

I'm watching 'Tony Hawks Gigantic Skate Park Tour' with Omar, Devaun, Marcus, Mark Anthony and Bryan. We had a sleep over, and all I have to say is these boys rock. They remind me of when I was their age. We are waiting on the corner story to open so we can get some milk and eat cocoa puffs.

I was thinking about how much I like carne asada tacos. They are good. Especially if you get the meat from Argentina Market on Villa.

EL CINCO DE MAYO
 
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The Fifth Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S.cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo has become increasingly popular along the U.S.-Mexico border and in parts of the U.S. that have a high population of people with a Mexican heritage. In these areas the holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture, of food, music, beverage and customs unique to Mexico.

Commercial interests in the United States and Mexico have also been successful in promoting the holiday, with products and services focused on Mexican food, beverage and festive items. Increasingly more cities in the U.S. and Mexico catering to a festive consumer are also more than happy to provide a venue to celebrate, so that Cinco de Mayo is becoming adopted into the holiday calendar of more and more people every year.

Today Americans participate in activities organized for "Cinco de Mayo." In Los Angeles, the celebration takes place in the streets outside City Hall where Mexican orchestras and local bands play Mexican patriotic songs. The streets are colored in red, white and green - the colors of the Mexican flag. Young boys are proud to be seen in Mexican clothing and girls wear red and green ruffled dresses with wide skirts.

Famous musicians play popular and familiar tunes on their guitars while dancers spin around and click their castanets.A temporary stage at the steps of City Hall is decorated with a picture of General Zaragoza, flanked by Mexican and American flags. Mexican dignitaries are guests of honor, pleased to hear the mayor of Los Angeles making a speech in Spanish. Later, celebrants stroll through the streets to the old section of the city. Others go to city parks where sports events, dances and picnics featuring Mexican food are taking place.

Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated in México to the same extent that it is by Chicanos in the U. S., mainly because El 16 de septiembre is seen as the more important holiday.  The reason that Chicanos celebrate the holiday is that they appreciate its cultural significance (victory in the face of great odds and the patriotism it generated) more that its historical relevance.  

Some scholars, including José Antonio Burciaga, believe that had the French defeated México at Puebla, France would have aided the South in the American Civil War in order to free Southern ports of the Union Blockade.  During this time, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was enjoying success, and French intervention could have had an impact on the Civil War.  

What treaty that the white man ever made with us have they kept? Not one. When I was a boy the Sioux owned the world; the sun rose and set on their land; they sent ten thousand men to battle. Whey are the warriors today? ...What law have I broken? Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because I was born where my father lived; Because I would die for my people and my country? Hunkpapa Lakota (Sitting Bull 1831-1890)

I respect the Natives. Strong people willing to die for their people. I feel bad about how they were put into reservations though. I remember being young and hearing stories my dad used to tell me about the Apache indians. And how wild and hard core they used to be. He used to tell me stories about how the Mexican cowboys would get attacked by the apache because of the cowboys bad reputation of trying to take the apache women.

It is too hot to be outside so I'm in Miss Higgins class 'cause is cool. Me, Omar, Cheyanne, Devaun, BB and Mark Anthony are with me we are eating ruffles and drinking sunkist. Yeah!

"THE DEVIL WILL FIND WORK FOR IDLE HANDS TO DO" Morrissey. Stay busy.

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!