Cast Your Love Around

Night Driving In Small Towns - Cast Your Love Around

Viendo Tus Ojos

Al fin entiendo que el pasado y el futuro solo existe hoy, y hoy te amo.

I do.

You know that song where every note, every word, every beat is made for you?

Who to Pack?

“No importa como te sientas, levántate, vístete y sal a brillar.” –Paulo Coelho

In the past I would find any excuse to give up on a day. What did this accomplish? I've set myself too far off course. As I slowly hike my way along this trail, I have learned that I cannot retrace my steps. I have to set a new course for myself. It is common for a novice to bring more than is needed and to leave some necessities behind and I am still learning what these are. So here I am, I know where I am going but I don't quite know how I will get there. That's the fun of it all, right?

Now, I shall sleep. It's later than I would have liked, but off I go. When I wake up feeling the regret of another night alone gone to waste, I will get up. I will get dressed. I will get back on the road. The world is constantly moving, so everyday I don't move forward means two days lost--one to gather my sensibilities and the second to use them.

Promises, promises.

Inspiration from Paulo Coelho

10 Sec Reading: How to Achieve Immortality

When he was still a young man, Beethoven decided to compose a few improvisations on a music by Pergolesi. He devoted months to this task and finally had the courage to publish it.

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In all my eloquence, this is all I have to say: Haters be hatin', while players be playin'.

"...when you stand out and when you reach, I'll prey on your lifeblood..."

Coelho, in his masterful, insightful way inspires me to pick up my pen. No more talking shit about the disappearing ground. I need to go out and embarrass myself. Just writing it frightens me. It'd be worse if there was no fear because then I would know I wasn't ready. I am happy to know that I do not know. That is a start. I'm in a cave. Now what?

Very Yours Truly

You had me several years ago when I was still quite naive
Well you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved and one of them was me
I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee

My Plans for the Weekend

This day is off to a negative start. I have no plans for the weekend. I'm not in the mood to relax. I want to go to Disneyland, Pasadena, and hiking with my friend. There is an Italian restaurant that serves the most delicious antipasto platter. The fresh mozzarella and the succulent olives and the prosciutto, oh my! I don't even have to explain what is special about Disneyland. It's Disneyland. Maybe we can venture to the side of the castle where it's always quiet. We can sit by the water and watch the ducks. Then we can go and work up a sweat on a trail somewhere. It doesn't matter which one. Home is beautiful, so it will be special no matter what. Antipasto in Old Town, pictures with Mickey, and a Southern California trail. None of this will happen.

Music is my passion

I love it when a song can make you feel depressed, hopeful, angry, and exuberant all at the same time. Emotions, good or bad, feel a heck of a lot better than nothingness.

A girl made me rank them:

1. Education
2. Music
3. Baseball

It's amazing to see baseball so low. But it's true.

Infidelity

Was it September, baby?
I can't remember, honestly.

Was it October, baby,
When you told me it was over, naturally?

Was it November, baby when you forgot my birthday?

Was it December, baby?
All alone underneath my tree.

Finally, I see, the only one for me is infidelity.
'Cuz I know he'll be faithful to me.

Was it January?
Where were you on New Years Eve?

Was it February?
Do you leap right past me?

Was it the airport, baby?
All the travelers so lonely.

Was it my vision, baby?
Why'd it take it so long for me to

Finally see the only one for me is infidelity?
'Cuz I know he'll be faithful to me.

Infidelity, I know you'll be faithful to me.

Night Driving In Small Towns

Missed Connection (I've always wanted to do one of these.)

Dear girl at the vending machine,

You bought Wheat Thins but they got stuck in the machine. I rescued your snack for you. Then, I bought you your water and you bought me my gatorade. Your tattoo on your foot is cute. You are too. I didn't get your name! Will you meet me at the vending machine again next week?

Sincerely,

Me

Facebook Claims Another Victim

Teacher’s Facebook Joke About Killing Students Might Get Her Fired
Click here to find out more!

Maureen O'Connor — The day after a Harlem 6th grader died during a class trip to the beach, Brooklyn elementary school teacher Christine Rubio—who has been teaching for 15 years—updated her Facebook status to this:

After today, I'm thinking the beach is a good trip for my class. I hate their guts.

more...

Teacher attitude! This wasn't so much a joke as a mini-therapy session. I understand teachers going home feeling like they hate their students or being frustrated, but this is just sad. She shouldn't lose her job over this one lapse of judgment, but I bet this is not simply her one-time reaction to a bad day.

Tragos Amargos

Clavado en este rincon,
Como tu clavastes a mi corazon,
Estos tragos que tomo yo son pura tristesa y son mi dolor.

Te fuiste no se porque,
Yo sé que me querías y sé que me adorabas,
Por si acaso quieres regresar te voy a esperar, te voy a esperar.

Tragos de amargo licor que no me hacen olvidar,
Y me siento como un cobarde, que hasta me pongo a llorar.
Te fuiste no se porque,
Yo sé que me querías y sé que me adorabas,
Por si acaso quieres regresar, te voy a esperar, te voy a esperar.
Tragos de amargo licor, que no me hacen olvidar
Y me siento como un cobarde, que hasta me pongo a llorar.

Ramon Ayala


Carla Morrison

Remember This

Trey Songz - Runaway Cover

I Must Be Tired

I read my previous post right after publishing it. It's almost as bad as Yvette's term paper writing. Yeah, that bad! I'm going to leave it as is because I think all the mistakes add to the mood.

Tonight...

I would love the type of friend who could just relax with me and watch an old movie in TV. No entertaining. No pressure.

I had a long couple of days. I woke up early yesterday to do a little bit of laundry before going to observe at Santiago High School. The teacher is a cool guy and I think I'm going to learn a lot from my time there. Then I came home and immediately started studying for the CSET. I put in 6 hours before my head partially exploded, then I freaked out and luckily, I had someone to vent to. Thanks to you! Then at about 11:00 PM, I hit the books again for another couple of hours. I slept not too well, then woke up and immediately studies some more for a couple hours.

Of course, I was running late to check in for my test today. About halfway there, I realized I didn't have my I.D., so i freaked the fuck out all over again. Instead of turning around to find it, i kept going and called my brother tried to help, but his pocket searching skills are very poor. The test administrators just had me fill out a form and practically made me write an essay declaring I was really me. The test was a little easier than I thought it would be, but it was still very, very difficult. I really don't know if I did well enough to pass. I'm glad i went nuts yesterday, because after the crazy period, I really focused and got that last, very valuable studying in. The better result of the freak out was the encouragement I received from a few people. It was pretty great.

Then I came home and my body needed to catch up in tiredness to my mind. I hit the batting cages for a bit. Nights are no good for me. My vision is poor enough as it is. I couldn't see the ball, so I had to guess where to swing. The cages at Boomers are pretty sad. The machines ate a few of my coins and there was little help from the employees. Eventually, I decided to leave and the manager gave me a couple extra coins to use next time.

Now, here I am writing a poorly written blog all about myself. Boring. After an eventful week of my midterm paper and the test today, I will return somewhat to a normal routine. I do have a midterm this Thursday, but I don't think that will be much of a hassle. I haven't check my other homework this week, but I really hope it's not much.

Now, what to do? Netflix? Playstation? Xbox? Sleep?

More Vinyl!

I added four more LPs to my collection. I won't keep up this pace. My other favorite albums haven't been pressed onto vinyl. There are a few more I can get, but I'll hold off for now.

Here they are: Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight, Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now, Rilo Kiley - Take Offs and Landings, Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

Can I be spiritual?

I've wondered about how I should approach faith. I was a non-practicing Catholic for many, many years and I realized I did not like the church. I could not bring myself to believe their story. I turned away from it and began to despise religion in general, specifically the churches that represent them. I heard so many stories and opinions throughout history and in the present that just reflect poorly on religion.

However, I am open-minded. I am willing to learn about what is out there so I can perhaps move away from identifying myself as agnostic. Wikipedia describes agnosticism as "the view that the truth value of certain claims—especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity but also other religious and metaphysical claims—is unknown or unknowable" (accessed 3/9/11). This is truly how I feel.

I could just settle on being Christian or Catholic. I have many friends who are and they are in love with their faith. They are happy and they found a place where they belong. I just don't think I can believe it all. I don't think there is room for settling when it comes to choosing a faith. Maybe I'm just ignorant.

I wanted more information, so today I did a quick Google search and found a personality quiz about my spiritual beliefs at beliefnet.com. I haven't read through the results yet, but here are my results. Maybe I'll just drop it all, but maybe one of these will inspire me to investigate further.

1.	Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2.	Liberal Quakers (94%)
3.	Neo-Pagan (91%)
4.	Mahayana Buddhism (89%)
5.	Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (89%)
6.	New Age (82%)
7.	Theravada Buddhism (82%)
8.	Reform Judaism (80%)
9.	Jainism (68%)
10.	Hinduism (67%)
11.	Orthodox Judaism (66%)
12.	Secular Humanism (64%)
13.	Baha'i Faith (62%)
14.	New Thought (61%)
15.	Scientology (61%)
16.	Islam (56%)
17.	Sikhism (56%)
18.	Orthodox Quaker (52%)
19.	Taoism (51%)
20.	Seventh Day Adventist (48%)
21.	Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (47%)
22.	Nontheist (46%)
23.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (43%)
24.	Eastern Orthodox (43%)
25.	Roman Catholic (43%)
26.	Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (43%)
27.	Jehovah's Witness (36%)

Based on personal experience and this list, I'm pretty much not a Roman Catholic.

Failing schools...::sigh::

82 percent of US schools may be labeled 'failing'

An estimated 82 percent of U.S. schools could be labeled as "failing" under the nation's No Child Left Behind Act this year, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday.

The Department of Education estimates the number of schools not meeting targets will skyrocket from 37 to 82 percent in 2011 because states are toughening their standards to meet the requirements of the law. The schools will face sanctions ranging from offering tutoring to closing their doors.

more...

If I am ever in a position where 82% of my students are failing, the first person I will blame is myself. I will ask: What did I do wrong? What can I do to change my approach? What can I do to change how I assess my students and change the meaning of pass/fail?

After that I will then turn my attention to my students. What did they do wrong? What can they do to promote their own learning? How can families support me and their children in the process?

The learning process needs to be as locally, culturally, and individually relevant as possible. Some of the language in No Child Left Behind restricts this. A failure rate of 82% points not only to failing schools, but also to failing policies, and failing families. We need to bring the responsibility of a complete education back to where it is most relevant. It's time to bring it back home.

Toot your own horn. Pat yourself on the back.

More people should brag about the good things they are doing. Sure, the haters will come out to hate, but think of who you can inspire. You got an A on your test? You're going to Brazil for the first time? You released an album? Wow! Wow! and Wow! If it's good for you, it's good for me. Share it, shout it. I will not get sick of it.

Some people don't agree. Some Yahoo! Answers (oh you!) respondents think bragging is annoying. I think they can take a healthier stance. One of them says, "I feel that these kinds of people are just trying to make others believe they live these amazing, great lives and everything is perfect, but in reality it's not." Why not just be happy for them? It really would make you happier to be happy for them. Maybe they realize their lives are not perfect so they are focusing on what is good. Try it. It feels wonderful.

Spread your joy. Let it fly. I love seeing it, love hearing it.

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

1. Go to bed early, wake up late.
2. Go to bed late, wake up late.
3. Go to bed early, wake up early.
4. Go to bed late, wake up early.

These are my four options. I prefer #4, but I have to get my body used to only 4-6 hours a night. I like it because it gives me a few hours to do nothing very important. I can watch TV or just be online. Also, if I have an important assignment, I have an hour or two after midnight to work on it. My mind never wants to shut down, so this gives me the most awake time.

For that very last reason, #1 and #3 are not options I would like to take, but #3 may become necessary if I learn that I'm not strong enough for my preference. I will learn all about that very soon. For the next few weeks, other than weekends, #2 won't even be an option because I have to go to high schools to observe on the days I don't have morning classes.

Now that I put it out there, I made my goal of waking up early every day real and I cannot turn back on it. But if a tree falls in the forest...? At least I will be able to create blog posts with no direction and lacking in creativity. I'm glad I haven't done that yet!

Some questions may never be answered.

Some of these questions are cutting. Some of them are simple. Some can be answered in one word. Some cannot be answered at all. Most, if not all, of these questions will never be seen, will never be heard, and never be answered. Some of these questions are about me. Mostly I want these questions to be about you.

Amy Bui - How do you see home differently now?
Cynthia Perez - After almost 7 years, what do you think about having a daughter?
David Villalpando - How will you save the world?
Don Xavier Dolar - Why or why aren't you proud of yourself?
Esteban Rodriguez - How will you use your skills?
Felicia Moeis - How do you feel about New York City?
Goose Galindo - What inspires you?
Jack Picone - Describe the worst piece of work you ever did that taught you the most.
Jeannette Pacheco - Define love.
Kristy Campos - Who do you want to be?
Monica Alcala - Describe the worst day you ever had in your entire life.
Monica Luna - Do you regret choosing your career?
Tony Perez - How can I be more like you?
Yvette Flores - What is the thing about yourself you love the most?
Yvette Pacheco - Who are you?

Give Back

I've done this before. I didn't think I'd do it again. But once again it's happening. That must mean I live again. Get back what I lost again. I have to fix how I approach it and somehow make it better. Somehow make it worth it.

I'm back in my bed for the first time since Thursday night. It should be nice. Shouldn't it?

Does good art have to be completely vulnerable?

The Age of Vinyl

The long playing record was first introduced in 1931 and became popular in 1948. On March 2, 2011, after the cassette and compact disc essentially displaced it and in the midst of the digital age, I became an owner of my very first LP. Less than one week later, I now own 4 of them.

Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous, She & Him - Volume One, Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things, Lykke Li - Youth Novels