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!

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.

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.

No Vote = No Voice

Time is running low and the last chance to submit your votes is

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 at 20:00 hrs.

There isn't really much that I would like to tell you about this year's general election other than "If you don't vote, you waived your right to complain." Also... an "undervote" or "overvote" is just as if you didn't vote.

What is an undervote?
An undervote is the term given to the act of NOT filling in (checking, crossing, or any other marking) the boxes in the ballot to select a candidate, take action on a proposition, or possible district measures. So, DON'T SKIP, VOTE!
What is an overvote?
An overvote is the term giving to the act of filling in MULTIPLE (checking, crossing, or any other marking) boxes in the ballot to select a candidate, take action on a proposition, or possible district measures. So, VOTE AS DIRECTED!

If you live in the Orange County region of California, watch the LIVE cast from the OC Registrar of Voters HQ | Data Center here.
If you live anywhere else, you may use this tool to find your County's Registrar of Voters.

Take the time to exercise your right to vote and make your voice be heard! Don't let everything to the last minute, not even your tax forms!!! 

Car Woes

UPDATE 10/25/2012: If you are not comfortable contributing electronically, you may send a check payable to "Omar Perez" at "PO BOX 7913 Newport Beach, Ca. 92658"
Thanks once again for all your support, I am very blessed having you in my life. May God fill you with blessings tenfold! [end update 10/25/2012]

Please help me get my only means of reliable transportation to work fixed. (Full details and pictures below)

A couple of weeks ago, a motherless individual crashed into my only means of reliable transportation while it was parked in front of my house. This individual fled the scene almost crashing into a produce truck parked a few cars behind mine.

Now, after numerous calls between my insurance provider and I, there's no evidence that their investigation has given any results on finding this individual, and thus... they won't cover repairs. The police department is behind on their investigation as well.

I am struggling commuting to and from work (about 20mi), getting rides from family or friends that have the time, but are not always available. Taking the bus, not reliable enough since the timing isn't always the same and there have been times I clocked-in late.

My goal is to collect, with your appreciated help, about $500.00 to replace the front axle  to fix the door, fix the tire, bumper and hood, pay for towing, labor... and refund for gas to those who give me rides until the car is drive-able again. The amount is an approximate, and even if it the final bill ends up being higher, at least with your help I will make a huge dent covering the car repair costs.

Here is a picture of the car. I still get frustrated just by looking at it, but I keep reminding myself that it could have had been worst. Luckily  no one was in the car, and the children that get dropped-off by this corner had just completely cleared out almost a minute prior the hit-and-run.

Click image for more images...

It was the afternoon of Friday the 28th day of September, my cousins were over to chill at the pool and I had just arrived from work (fifth and last day of my second week, 13:30). We were hungry so I started cooking while they were getting ready for the pool. I was half way done slicing the tomatoes when I hear the screeches, twice before that horrifying sound, CRASH! We all stopped what we were doing, ran to the door and just get a glimpse of the dark truck/SUV type vehicle trying to flee. Unable to control the vehicle, the driver almost hits a parked produce truck and near-misses another car just before flooring it again to disappear from the gathering crowd.

Just as we were dealing with the initial shock, we look around to see which one got hit. All seem to be alrig... "THERE!" my cousin says, and to add to my frustration... it was MY car that was at the receiving end of the impact. The crowd grew, and everyone recounted the event as they experienced it. We gathered all the information as accurate as possible from the bystanders (including a partial plate number), called the police department and the insurance provider. Made the reports, and that was the it. Investigation: Pending.

Seeing as how the insurance provider was taking too long to send an agent to evaluate the car as per their policy, I kept making calls that lead no where. Decided to remove the car from the street since I didn't want to get a parking ticket on street sweep day (car was there for almost a week since the event). Weeks passed and just last Thursday, the insurance agent checked the car. Tells us that they won't cover repairs since we don't have any complete information on the driver that hit it.

Now I'm left with a car that can't go anywhere. Just finished week five of work (approximately 46 hours at minimum wage). And will have to fix the car without refunding from the insurance provider. I really need your help, any amount will suffice... it all adds up, and will be of great relief even if the goal isn't met. THANK YOU!

Earthquake Storm Hits Southern California

Today has been a hard day for those living near the US-México border. Multiple earthquakes Magnitud 3.0+ and a few Magnitud 4.0+ in the Richter Scale have occurred in the vicinity of Brawley, California. There are not yet full reports of damages or loss of life. It is advisable to tune in to your source for "breaking news" broadcasters to get up-to-the-minute details.

Prayers go out those affected by today's Earthquake Storm of Brawley, California.

The following images are taken from the "Earthquake Alert" app, and are used to show the area affected by the Storm. Use discretion.

SoCal Earthquake Storm Gallery

[UPDATE 120826:1500] Brawley Shakes Again 

¡Ruge! - Roar!

Foto por Damian Bariexca

Español | English

Not Giving Up!

"Be the light for others to follow"

2012 may come with even more challenging circumstances as 2011 did, but taking those circumstances and not letting them bring you down is what really makes a successful year and a successful you. Don't let the darkness of the world dim out your light, rather work hard for your success and let through the radiance and become the beacon of hope for the world!

CHEER UP AND KEEP FIGHTING!!!

Dawning

Most Influential Languages of the World (Click for details)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I know, I know... it's still December 31st. here... but guess what, it has been 2012 for the last twelve hours in more than HALF of the world already, so...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

From the Inside Out! @LiwanagAtUCI @LiwanagFM

It's that time of the year again!
The time when the Liwanag Filipino Youth Ministry at UC Irvine gives a Homeless Outreach Benefit Concert, and this year's theme is "From the Inside Out" check the facebook event page for more information. http://www.facebook.com/insideout

Here I'm going to give you just a few suggestions on how to get there.

Powered by Mountain View

Google Headquarters. Mountain View, CA

Yes! In the last couple of years I had developed quite the preference to Google products. Google addict since 2009... and THIS blog is just part of my artillery. And not to mention Gmail, You[Tube], Google Voice, Droid... among others... I'll touch just the surface here, and I encourage you to check the products and services for yourself and come with your own opinion.

Every Vote Counts

Thank you all for being part of the experience and thanks for reading my posts.

Today I would like to ask for a big favor, and to help me to win something at last. I have entered myself in a friendly competition to be the very first to represent a social collective site that is about to explode into the stratosphere. Your vote is well appreciated, and if I win... you may go with me to attend an exclusive about.me event in NY! [skip 'step by step' and vote]

#ff @ocfilmsociety @leekaiwei

Today on #FollowFriday,
A society fit for those filmmakers looking to present their works of art to the heart of Orange County, and a magnificent pianist with a vast library of renders for you.

PSA: Don't Fall For It!

Have you received I check on the mail from a grant you don't remember applying for?

And before you go on cashing such a blessing, I suggest you read this and don't start thinking in the many ways you could use that much money!

Don't fall pray of scammers and DON'T give away the REAL money you earned breaking your back!!!

Inevitable

The Inevitable
by Omar Perez

Too often we get so used to the things that surround us. 

The things that we see every day as we go on with our lives.

The things that we hear as we run through it all.

Those things that we are forced to touch.

All the things that we taste, gorging down our throat.

Yes, and those things that trigger our facial expressions just by a sniff.

ALL THESE and loads more of things... 

the INEVITABLE THINGS

#ff @hellocolorgray @gentosesisan @juliegower87

In this edition of #FollowFriday we are going to visit some more talented individuals that you might want to start following their every move, or not... that's your decision.

#ff @xcreativexsoulx @juzdin @bubzbeauty

FOLLOW FRIDAY!

Welcome to yet another edition of the #FF and #FollowFriday suggestions.

Today I'm going to recommend you check these three amazing people, remember... that these are people of great talent and are great in what they do.

What Does it Mean?

"Gifts for Communal Growth"

Oh yes!
In this post I will tell you what it all means to become a "Master Catechist" but before that is a reality, one must obtain the "Basic Certification" ... and to do that, FOUR classes must be taken with the Institute for Pastoral Ministry.

Young Adult Ministry & 10th Anniversary!

Basic Certification is just one week away!

I will most definitely celebrate such joyous occasion with something,

WHO IS UP FOR DISNEYLAND??? !!! !!! !!!

Basic Certification

As the fifth day of the first week of my two-week journey towards obtaining Basic Certification through the Diocese of Orange draws to a close, and the daily papers are starting to get returned to us, I have posted them in this blog (Along with some notes, reflections, and open questions) but they will be released (published) in a schedule of sorts so that this blog and/or your news-feed reader won't get "spammed" with two posts a day for these two weeks. Henceforth, this is how it is...