Counting Blessings

The season of giving thanks is here; and those who know me well, also know what I really think about the holiday. However, I will try to veer away from all the negative and focus on what has helped me grow and be a step closer to the person I am meant to be.

Parents get Certificate of Completion
(Padres en Acción by kidHEALTHY)

First and foremost, I am proud to say that I am really enjoying my time as a School Community Liaison. Helping people is what comes natural to me, and as a bonus, the families seem to have welcomed me with tremendous trust to look after them. My daily interaction with the students has helped me become one of the best role models they look up to. They have taught me more than I let them know they have. Those kids are such a diverse group, socially and intellectually, but we keep on learning from each other with ease. I take great pride when I see parents losing their fears because I know it is difficult for everyone to get out of our comfort zone, we just need to keep constant and not let every little obstacle impair our growth.

Citizenship Fair at River Church, Anaheim
(by OCCORD + World Relief)

Secondly, I’m thankful that I can continue assisting our immigrant community. To help prepare those qualifying individuals to apply for their naturalization. And to motivate our community to take an active part in our democracy. It has been a tough year for democracy indeed. We are charged with the responsibility to keep democracy alive and thriving. Do not let fear rule, stand up and let your voice be heard! We will continue to fight the struggles we face today, so that our children won’t need to tomorrow.

We bid adieu to Citizenship Program Mentor,
Don Mario Breña

And lastly, I am blessed with the company I keep. They have been an inspiration for social justice, mental health, and are all around the best people I could have ever met. Thank you all, my fellow justice fighters, for all your mentorship, friendship and support. You all have helped me break most of those barriers that kept me trapped in a directionless path. Because of you, I am once again getting back on track with my education. Thank you for your encouragement, patience and advice.

The work has just begun, there are still loads more to do. Be proud of all that you have accomplished!

Don't Fall Victim, Beware the Robocall!

Some "Representative" of the House is trying to get votes by sending Anti-Undocumented Robocalls. Is this hate speech, an intimidation tactic, or just plain ignorant?

Have you received a call from "her"... whoever she is, I couldn't understand what her name was.

Here, have a listen:


By the sounds of it, she claims to be an Orange County resident. The phone number I got the call from is 1-412-430-5625, which is a Pittsburg, PA number per WhitePages.com [link]

If you know what she is saying and would like to help with a transcription that would be great! Here's what Google Voice and I could transcribe:
"I'm Mel eyes. And he's eating office and I'm running against you man, a liar and a hypocrite. I am a legal immigrant who's lived in Orange County for 33 years and graduated from U C Irvine. finalized and of course I approve this message. does not.org. Vote honesty, vote on."

#StandStrong! #Not1MoreDeportation #DAPA #DACA #CIR #ComprehensiveImmigrationReform

Dear Husband

[The following is based on this post by Suprema 106.3FM]

DEAR HUSBAND: 

I write this letter to manifest that I decided to leave you, for the good of us.

I have been a good woman these past seven years; however, I can't come up with anything good that has happened to me.
These last two weeks have been hell: your boss called to tell me that you quit your job today, and that was the last straw I could take.

Last week you came home and didn't say anything about my new haircut or my new manicure; I prepared your favorite dish and I even wore new lingerie.
You came home and ate in two minutes, and went straight to sleep after watching the soccer game.

You don't say "I love you" anymore, you no longer touch me or anything. Either you are cheating on me with another woman or you no longer love me. Whatever the case may be, I want to leave, I'm abandoning you.

P.S.: Don't try to search for me...
Your brother and I are moving to "Entre Rios" together.

I wish you have a good life.
Your ex-wife.

RESPONSE...

Dear Ex-wife:

Nothing would have bring me more joy than receiving your letter.

It's true that you and I have been married 7 years; however, this doesn't mean that you have been a good wife. Au contraire.

I watch a lot the soccer matches to try and drown all the bore that your constant complaints and bad attitudes cause me. It's sad that our marriage didn't work because I loved you. I did noticed you had a new haircut, and the first thing that came to mind was: "She looks like a man!!!" However, my mother taught me that if I can say anything good about someone, it's better to not say anything at all.

When you prepared my favorite food, you must have mistaken me for my brother because I stopped eating pork 7 years ago.
I went to sleep when you wore that lingerie because the price tag was still attached to it. I prayed asking it was a coincidence that my brother asked me for a $500 loaned that same morning and the tag from your lingerie said $499.

Even after all of this, because I still loved you, I felt that we could still work it out. That's why when I discovered that I have won the $2.5 million lotto, I quit my job to have all the time for you. I even bought two tickets to Europe; but when I got home, you had already left...

Everything occurs for a good reason, I believe.
I wish you have the life you always wanted.

My attorney says that because of the letter that you left me, you will not get even a cent from me.
So, take care of yourself.

P.S.: I'm not sure if I ever told you this before, but my brother, Carlos, at birth, her name was Carla. I trust that this won't be an issue since the implant she got looks so real.

You[Tube] Music Awards

I voted for Demi Lovato's "Heart Attack" to win Video of the Year at the YouTube Music Awards

Feels like Christmas!

It's beginning to look feel a lot like Christmas...

Let me start by expressing how grateful I am of the blessings that have been granted to me over the years, but more specifically these past couple of months. Thank you Lord for the many trials you've set me into. And thank you for the wonderful people you have placed along the way to help develop me.

I have some good news to share with you. Firstly, I started working with a wonderful organization that empowers the LGBTQ Community to overcome adversity and to motivate them to be leaders in the community. Secondly, I have accepted the Community Liaison position that the district offered me, pending background check, TB test, and live scan.

I've been staring at the screen trying to find the right words to express what I am feeling. I am left without words... but excited about the work that lies ahead.

Luis (OCCORD Citizenship Director), one of the greatest role models there are.