The Things I've Done, The Places I've Seen...: Come out, come out, where ever you are......

The Things I've Done, The Places I've Seen...: Come out, come out, where ever you are......: "Greetings y'all, Well, now that my required semester of English Composition is over, I wondered how long it would be before I returned, and ..."

Come out, come out, where ever you are......

Greetings y'all,
Well, now that my required semester of English Composition is over, I wondered how long it would be before I returned, and finally after about 2 months...."I'mmm Baaaack!!!"

So, let's see what's been happening...well, as is the cycle of things, the holidays approached, came, and went...and now we find ourselves in a new year...and, as usual, it has not been the "same old, same old."
The love of my life and I have grown closer, shared more adventures and even taken our relationship to the next level....yes, we are to marry next year....*0*....

I am still employed part-time, going to school full-time, and loving life....all the time!!!  Well, I know this post is short, but I'll be back soon...I just needed to get started again, and now that I have, I think I'll keep on bloggin' as time goes on...till then, take care, God Bless and know that an active mind leads a strong will, and a strong will, never settles for "just good enough"....peace.....Cuervo

Words of Wisdom, Or Just An Old Mans Rantings....

Greetings to you, the unwary,

First, let me say that you are about to embark on a journey of which not everyone will survive.  Sure, right now you're in a classroom that is probably packed to the rafters with the "Have to get-ins" and the "I just needed a class to fill my schedule." students...but take a look to your right, now take a look to your left, now jump up on one foot....hahaha....just checking to see if you were paying attention....lol.  Half of you will not survive the cut, half of you will survive, and the other half don't know how to do the math....we're all outta halves....

But seriously folks, English Composition 101 is what you make it.  The work may be challenging, and you might wonder what you got yourselves into, but for the brave students who don't buckle under the blogs, essays, research papers and stale candy that is passed to those fortunate enough to have Ms. Croker as your teacher/instructor and (tor)mentor...you will learn how to write like you never thought possible...and believe it or not, your typing skills will also greatly improve as well.

So I encourage you to either switch classes now, before you have to drop it anyway, or for the brave, strap yourselves in for one wild ride through the world of topic sentences, body paragraphs, work cited pages and endless re-writes that await you......if you dare........

Oh, and lighten up, it's only English Composition 101....not brain surgery......peace

To Blogg, or not to blogg.....that is the sentence

Greetings y'all,
Well, it's that time of the year again....no I'm not talking about Christmas, Kwanzaa, of Hanukkah, I'm talking about the flurry of papers, reports, essays, and cramming for finals, while carolers sing outside your window..."Semester Finals Are Coming To Town".....oh and lest I forget, curling up with a good computer and reading your bloggs. 
When I first started this, I was like, "What???, no notebook of loooove..how can I learn to write without this valuable tool in my arsenal???"  Well, suffice to say, I learned by using this thing called ......"The Blog"....(Cue Angels singing/heaven opening up)....and low and behold,...it worked.
Now the topics were, for the most part, interesting to say the least.....and believe me, I'll leave it at that....but it was in reading the veritable cornucopia of comments that were left by you, yes you, the reader, that left me laughing my @ss off at times.....and may I say....some of you guys/gals are sick, sick puppies....lol....I won't mention names, but Cody....you're sick....Jessica, you're real sick.....and me, I'm just fine thank you very much.
Sierra always had a great slant at what others would miss, and Oscar....you're just funny my friend...and to the rest of you who contributed to the cause....(cause the teacher told us to)......I thank you all.  I hope to read more of your adventures in life my friends and if you ever look back at this time, and you will, just remember those who made you smile, laugh, or cough milk out your nose.....and if I'm one who did that for you, then my job is completed....
Good day, God Bless and know that we made it through another semester....together.....peace

"What's Wrong With What We Eat?"

Mr. Bittmans' wonderful use of sarcastic humor, biting comments and on screen presentation made watching this video worth doing the assignment for.  His quick pace, ability to stay focused, and present such facts, fables, and tid-bits about the food we eat was an excellent way of educating the public, without dumbing down the message.  His use of facts, such as "cattle flatulence," or the amount of livestock killed in the United States annually was mind boggling, and yet presented in a way that had me laughing along with the audience.  I was surprised to learn that livestock produces 20% of our greenhouse gasses, that methane is 20x more deadly than cO2, and that if stretched end-to-end, the livestock killed annually in the United States alone would reach between the Earth and The Moon five times.
In all this was a great video, and although I cannot use it for my research paper, I found it full of useful information regarding the issues of food consumption and the food industry, as a whole....now time for dinner...gotta go and raid the neighbors garden for my salad......peace

The 3 who inspire me, to be the 1 I am

     In looking back in my life, there are some regrets...but since I can't change what I did, I can only move foward with the education and experiences that life has provided me thus far.  In that there have been many people who have inspired me along the way, and it is for them, that I write this blogg, but not in the traditional form, so bare with me, and let me explain.
    
     1. Father God-I would not be here without the love and guidence of my spiritual father, God.  I know that it's not always "popular" to speak one's faith, but if any of you know me, and my life story, it's not hard to see who inspires me, leads me and teaches me the true meaning of life, laughter, and most important, love.  He has given me everything I have ever wanted, and that was just to be valued, and loved as a person.  I thank Him every day for the gift of life, the ability to live and the capacity to love again.  Life isn't any easier just because I believe in God, but it's not as difficult, I know that I am never alone, and with this, I can always get through whatever life throws at me, and know that He has gifts for me that haven't even been given to me just yet.
     2.  My sister Maria-Although we weren't raised together, she has always kept my memory alive within her.  When we reunited in 1981, we began to reconnect as if we had never been apart.  Even through my years of addiction, she stood beside me, believed in me and defended me.  More importantly, she never gave up on me. It is because of my sister that I am about to celebrate being drug-free for 5 years now.  Yes, I did the work, but she was always in my corner, cheering me on, and lifting my spirits when I thought I couldn't make it, and willing to kick my @ss if I talked about giving up. My sister is my hero, and my 1st. best friend...and always will be.  I can talk to her about anything/everything without worrying about what she thinks, because she's not afraid to tell me...lol, but always with love and care...and even though we only see each other 2-3 times a year, we stay in contact through e-mail, FB, and phone calls...and it never ceases to amaze me that when I'm feeling my lowest, worried or stressed, I hear from her..."I just thought about you and wanted to call."...that's my sister, always there when I need her most, and always with a shoulder to lean on.
     3.  Like most people, we do not want to be alone, and like most people, I have made some dumb choices in the dating scene.  I had just gotten out of a scary relationship at the beginning of this year and wasn't looking for a relationship...but here I am, with one of the most beautiful women I have ever known.  Dhyane and I clicked in ways that I had forgotten about.  She, like I, was not looking to get into anything other than maybe coffee, a movie, or something on the "friend" level of dating. We have been dating "officially" for close to 2 months now, and we both know that this is the real thing.  Dhyane is one of the funniest, caring, compasionate, and understanding people I have ever met...and 2nd. only to my sister, is my best friend.  We are taking this slowly, but we are not afaid to enjoy life and all it has to offer...and I know that it is God who brought her into my life...and in so doing, has reminded me that He has only good things for me in His plans....and I am thankful.

So, you can see that all 3 people/entities in my life that have helped to shape me are related...and for that reason I am thankful for the life I now have.....So I'll say that this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for life, laughter, and most importantly, love....and all that life has to offer.....peace

Food Worth Eating

Greetings y'all,
After reading Fast Food Nation, I have changed my eating habits...that's no surprise, and it hasn't been all that difficult to do.  So what do I do when hunger strikes and I don't feel like an "eColi burger, with a side of the runs?"...I eat in one of the various, sit down and get waited on restaurants that populate the Ventura County area.  One of these is a little place called "Tortuga's Cafe."
Located in the Centennial Plaza, behind the movie theater,on the corner of 5th and B St. in Oxnard is a wonderfully delicious, and very nutritious, family run business.  Shelly and Steve, owners of Tortuga's, and their children, greet you as you enter a very spacious, yet warm diner.  Don't feel like being cooped up, well then, sit outside and grab a little sun on Tortuga's patio. 
Tortuga's is a little eclectic in its decor, as well as its menu.  Decorated as a pirates lair, it's easy to get into the mood for good food.  With everything from soups and salads, to veggie, or garden burgers, chicken strips, and hot wings, to tri-tip sandwiches, it's not hard to satisfy anybody with their menu selection.  The food is just a small part of the reasons to support this business.  Shelly and Steve believe in supporting their community and often help local school groups with various fund raising events.  Oxnard Colleges very own Addictive Disorder Studies Club, the ADS-PLC has had several successful fundraisers over the semester. 
The food has a Caribbean flavor to it, so some of the sandwiches and salads reflect that in the wonderful spices and herbs used, providing that "bite" that keeps you coming back for more.
My favorite on the menu is the Spicy Chicken sandwich, onion rings and chocolate shake....mmmm, mmmm, good!!!  While providing a nutritious, and delicious meal, Tortuga's is cost friendly...most complete meals are under $8.00 per person...need an additional incentive???...buy a combo meal, and you can get movie tickets for just $6.99 per person....a savings of $3.00 for you movie buffs.
So the next time you want more than just a place to stuff your face, without cleaning out your wallet, or your intestines, give Tortuga's a try....you will not be dissapointed....just tell them "Cuervo sent me!!!".....and enjoy your meal.

You are what you eat

   Entering the semester, I thought, ok this should be easy...I'll learn how to write better papers, wow my professors, and share my words of wisdom with those who read my articles, essays, and short stories...little did I know that I would also change my eating habits.
   Fast Food Nation is one of the few books that I'll not only keep in my library, but will recommend to anyone who eats fast food.  This book really opened my eyes to the dangers involved in areas I hadn't thought about, such as the feed lots, the processing plants, and the handling of the food items in the fast food restaurants.  
   Since reading the book, I have changed my eating habits drastically...I no longer eat fast foods....ok, so I'm still struggling with giving up my Egg McMuffins every now and then, but I'm working on it...lol.  In the past 3 weeks, that I have given up fast foods, I have noticed that I've lost 5 lbs. and have managed to save $25.00 so far.  I did struggle for the first few days, but every time I pulled into a drive-up window, chapters 5-9 kept coming back to haunt me...and I left the line to the calls, "Welcome to....Hey, you haven't ordered yet!!!" coming from the menu board intercom system.
   Not only have I quit eating fast food, but now my girlfriend also has joined me.  Not because I made her, but because I told her that I would wait in the car while she played "Russian Roulette" with her health...just the other night, she stopped off on her way home, picked up a burger, fries and a drink....she then went home and took a big bite out of the burger....and started to remember what I had shared with her about the FFN, so she spit it out and then she called me to let me know that she can't eat any fast food without thinking about what I had shared with her...."Nice job Cuervo....you owe me $7.99"....fair enough, a small price to pay for a better way of eating. Now we go to sit-down restaurants and enjoy our meals, or we cook at home, which has added benefits of spending more time together...and knowing what we are eating.

THE TRUTH, THE TRUTH???...YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

Greetings y'all....well, thanks to Black Widow, y'all think I'm an ex-con, or a con on parole....or just a con...lol.  Others could have sworn they saw me in a music video.....(maybe I was a stand in for Ricky Martin, or Tim McGraw)....but no, that wasn't me...and someone guessed I only have 1 brother/sister....I wish...no, just kidding...the truth is that I know how to play several instruments.  I play all 4 saxophones, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone....French Horn, Flute, and Oboe....my favorite, the Tenor Sax.....thank you for playing along, but sorry, we don't have a winner...better luck next time.
Now....as for how this semester is going....let's just say that I picked the wrong classes if I was looking for a smooth semester.  First off, I love my classes, Chicano Studies, Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy, and my FAVORITE....English Composition 101.  My issue, each one of them require a lot of writing....every week it's another essay, research paper, questions from a book we have to read, as well as trying to keep up with note taking and homework organization.  That being said, I'm still blessed to be where I am...it sure beats where I was heading. 
Sometimes I feel stretched, pulled, pushed, formed, molded, tweaked, fine-tuned, and overall, overhauled during the past 5 semesters, but this one has really pushed me to reach, try, learn, earn, and grow in ways I didn't think was possible.  But the most rewarding of this adventure has been meeting y'all.  I have met some great people, and have had a lot to be thankful for in the friendships that have been formed, so I guess all in all, taking the difficult with the easy, I wouldn't trade my OC experience for an easy A, ....ok, so I might think about it....lol

What a tangled web we weave....

Hmmmm...
Which 5 are the lies, which 1 is the truth??

1. I worked for Warner Brothers Studios.
2. I have 1 brother, 1 sister.
3. I have appeared in a music video.
4. I play several musical instuments.
5. I spent several years in prison.
6. I care about what others think about me.

Looking Into The Future, By Reviewing Our Past

BRIDGING THE PAST WITH THE PRESENT

ETHNIC STUDIES AT OXNARD COLLEGE

   Oxnard College is located in Ventura County and was founded in 1975. With 4,400 students enrolled in that Fall semester, it was fast on its way to becoming more that just another Community College.  Thirty-five years later, Oxnard College shows no sign of slowing down, even in these economic times.  With classes being offered into the late evenings, and even week-ends, Oxnard College continues to offer its best to the more than 8,000 students currently enrolled as of the Fall of 2010 (“History of Oxnard College”).  Although the student body is diverse, as are most college campuses, Oxnard College is represented with a strong Mexican/Latin population. Numbering over 63%, this equals to over 5,000 students (“fast facts”) of Mexican/Latin heritage. It is these students that have a greater opportunity to explore their heritage, history and future in several classes, most notably, the Chicano Studies classes.  Led by Dr. Tomas Salinas, students are able to learn of their culture, stretching back to the earliest times in Meso-American history, through the conquests, and up to the current events of today.

   I had the pleasure of not only taking Dr. Salinas’s class, but I was also able to pin him down for a few minutes and learn more about the man who shares his passion of our history with those who enter his classes.  I say pin, because Dr. Salinas is always on the move from class to class, but is more than willing to stay to help a student, answer questions and explain lessons given to those who seek his assistance, but you must be quick, or you will miss your chance. 

   Sitting with Dr. Salinas one morning, I learned that he is the only male, the youngest of three siblings.  Born in Laredo, Texas in 1955 he went to Catholic School until he was 8 years old.  “Those Catholic nuns were tough man,” stated Dr. Salinas, “They didn’t take any sass, and yes, they used their rulers when you stepped out of line.”  It wasn’t until he entered public schools that he began to learn English.  “We were taught in Spanish, and Spanish was the language my parents spoke at home, so I really didn’t begin to speak English until I entered the public school system” he explained. Tough as it was, he persevered, and eventually entered the college life.  It was here that he was inspired to become a teacher.  “I was actually looking at becoming a lawyer, at that time there were few Chicano lawyers, and I thought, why not? I had a Professor who taught American History and he was out there, but he influenced me to want to become a history teacher.” Although at the time, Dr. Salinas wasn’t politically active, he was influenced by his older sister. “She was involved in several movements, and so, I got involved.  I was a part of the UFW-United Farm Workers and a member of MECHA in 1969-1970. I was involved in walkouts, protests and rallies” he shared.

   Dr. Salinas began teaching at Ventura College first, but eventually transferred to Oxnard College in 1982, where he’s been teaching American History, as well as Chicano Studies. After over 25 years as an instructor, Dr. Salinas hasn’t lost any of his fire for his love of teaching, but when asked about the difference in the students, from the early 80’s in comparison to today, he had this to share. “Back in the early 80’s, students were more informed, politically involved and knew what was happening in the world around them. Today’s students don’t seem to have the same fire that once sparked debates, questions and discussions in my early classes.” “It’s sad to see 40+ students in a class, and they don’t seem to want to get involved, or don’t think it’s as important to get involved. I love it when a student questions “why?” rather than just accept what I have to say in my lectures. They see the clips about the Chicano Moratorium, or the UFW, and they don’t seem to get just how difficult it was back then for Chicanos.  It wasn’t until the protests in the 1960’s and 70’s, that ethnic studies were even considered. Today’s students don’t realize the sacrifices that were made, that allows them to sit in a college classroom and learn of their past, today,” he stated. “Students show up, some late, others unprepared to take notes, and think that the course is an easy A, but there are still those few students who want to know what it is to be Chicano, where did we come from, and more importantly, where we are going. It is those students who help hold Chicano Studies together” he finished.

   With budget cuts that affect classes campus wide, ethnic studies could be in danger of being dropped.  “Cuts have affected everyone, but cuts to the ethnic studies classes have not only been financial, but politically motivated as well. “People in higher offices don’t think that specialized classes, such as Chicano Studies are important anymore. If the students don’t wake up and say something, there could be a day that Chicano Studies may not be offered, and then it will be too late to do anything” Dr. Salinas explained. In closing, Dr. Salinas doesn’t have any regrets.  “I am fortunate to have become a teacher, my life was changed by a teacher, and I hope to inspire my students to go out and make a difference, maybe become teachers themselves, but I mostly want them to become aware of the world around them, and maybe make a difference for those who follow after them” he said, with a smile on his face.

   As a student of the Chicano Studies class, I can say that Dr. Salinas has made an impression on several of his students, myself included. I found it an honor and a great experience, to learn from someone who was at one time, on the front lines of those changing times in Chicano history.