As some of you know my dad died earlier this year. Yesterday was his birthday and it did feel a little weird. We lived apart and didn't have the greatest relationship but I do miss him very much. He was always a phone call away if I ever needed anything. I'm not someone to hang on to the negative though. Yesterday I prayed for him hoping that even with the life he chose to live that he accepted Jesus and is in a better place. I really didn't think about it too much after that though.
Instead I have a lot of different things weighing on my heart. The very sensitive balance of work and family for instance. And even more recently are the struggles of some of my junior high students. It saddens me a lot more to see other people hurting than anything that people might think hurts me. I'm constantly praying for my students and trying to do what I can to remedy their situations. This takes some time because you have to build a relationship first and then show yourself as someone who cares and can help. I'm persistent and have been gaining ground slowly but surely. By junior high I have been through and seen a lot. I'm glad god brought me here to share with my students so they don't have to feel alone. My heart breaks for some of these guys. Lately I'm pretty quiet around the house and praying all the time for the wisdom to help. I can tell some of these guys truly need me and I just need to grow so I can serve them better.
P.S. I know you weren't around a lot and made some mistakes, but I know how much you love us dad. Thanks for making me the strong man that I am today. I love you.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
SAVING THE COUNTRY
Its that time. Get out and vote and lets save this country. Right? Both candidates have some great ideas on how to save this country. Some I agree with and some I don't. Here are a couple instances:
Schools:
+Voucher System+ This is a great idea. Now it won't matter what school district you live in, you can send your child to any school you want. There are some really really good schools in Illinois. Before I felt like they weren't an option because they were too expensive or were not in my school district.
+Strengthening our School System+ This is a great idea. Now all of our under funded schools can have the technology and resources of the "good schools". Having grown up in the Chicago Public School System I know that this can have a tremendous effect on the education that our kids need.
Health Care:
+Tax Credit+ $5000.00 to everybody for health insurance. Thats awesome. There are some people who don't even have jobs. This will be great.
+Universal Health Care+ This is also a great plan. Nobody will have to worry about health care again. It will be more affordable for everybody. And free if need be.
No matter who is elected this nation will truly be a better place. Or will it?
I do not claim these next statements as my personal original thoughts. I have been in the dark about politics for a while now. And have recently asked a lot of people a lot of questions.
Here we go:
-vouchers- Some of us send our kids to better schools and this is starting to work. But the "problem schools" just lost the numbers they need for funding. They shut down and finally their parents send them to better schools. Now our better schools have doubled or tripled in size. I wonder if the quality of that jam packed school will start to deteriorate?
-strengthening our school systems- This is fantastic. Now the underfunded schools get all the books, desks, and technology that they need to produce the brighter kids of the future. Except the underfunded schools sometimes don't have high attendance rates either. Crap! How will our kids get smarter if they're not in class?
-tax credit-$5000 Now that is a lot of money. I have a family of five and i was able to find a quote for $4887 and some change. But that was 80% coverage and I believe my last two kids delivery and hospital stay came to about $30,000. So that would only be another $6,000 out of pocket thats not bad. And with a huge scare and a trip to the Intensive Care Unit at The University of Chicago Children's Hospital, the 4 day total came up to $206,000; imagine paying another $41,200 out of pocket. Surely that wouldn't have to be paid at once, its only like $115 a month for 30 YEARS. And there's always medicaid. For those who qualify, because if you have a family of 5 and make $1000 a month unfortunately you don't. Thats more than enough money for food, shelter, utilities with plenty to spare for health insurance. Maybe 5k isn't enough for ins. after all?
-universal health care- Now this has proven to work in other countries. Why don't people believe it can work here. How can we be upset with getting everybody the health care they need. I guess it might cost a little more for the country, but that won't matter to the little guy because taxes are gonna be cut anyway right?
Now I know that politicians have are well known for keeping promises. And doing right by our country. Believing all the save the world crap is our nations first mistake.
Second is thinking we have two choices.
Republicans want to cut social programs (but don't care who falls through the cracks)
Democrats want to increase social programs (but don't care who abuses the system)
Republicans want schools to compete for students and funding.
Democrats want to upgrade the schools to bring the students in with a good attitude.
(The problem with both of these answers are they assume all parents care about education!)
WHAT WE ARE LEFT TO CHOOSE FROM IS THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS
To fix this country we need to start with morals. Stop blaming him/her and look at each person for being responsible. Its all over tv parents can't control their kids call Nanny 911. No step up and do what parents have done for the past bagillion years. Start spending time with your kids. Know what their problems are and work on them. One answer was given to my wife for easier times. "Don't take his last name. Then file separated and you can get welfare, medicaid, housing, and the rest of your school paid for so you don't have any student loans."
We don't need to do away with these social programs. So the gov't can be the gov't . We need to regulate them a little so their not being obliterated by free loaders. Then we can use the programs how they were intended. To help people in need. Your heart bleeds for the hungry across the globe, what about the hungry here? Maybe they should just "Get a job." Oh wait a minute they work their ass off but its just not enough to get by.
In closing you want to cry about taxes? I'm poor don't tax me. I'm successful don't tax me. Set the tax at a flat rate all across the board. That way we all lose. The poor guy pays the same percent(WAAA) And the socialite heiress who didn't do a damn thing to make the money she has with the same percent has to pay more(WAAAA)
So if this seems a little one sided or undecided just remember your vote doesn't count anyway because the electoral college picks our president!
Schools:
+Voucher System+ This is a great idea. Now it won't matter what school district you live in, you can send your child to any school you want. There are some really really good schools in Illinois. Before I felt like they weren't an option because they were too expensive or were not in my school district.
+Strengthening our School System+ This is a great idea. Now all of our under funded schools can have the technology and resources of the "good schools". Having grown up in the Chicago Public School System I know that this can have a tremendous effect on the education that our kids need.
Health Care:
+Tax Credit+ $5000.00 to everybody for health insurance. Thats awesome. There are some people who don't even have jobs. This will be great.
+Universal Health Care+ This is also a great plan. Nobody will have to worry about health care again. It will be more affordable for everybody. And free if need be.
No matter who is elected this nation will truly be a better place. Or will it?
I do not claim these next statements as my personal original thoughts. I have been in the dark about politics for a while now. And have recently asked a lot of people a lot of questions.
Here we go:
-vouchers- Some of us send our kids to better schools and this is starting to work. But the "problem schools" just lost the numbers they need for funding. They shut down and finally their parents send them to better schools. Now our better schools have doubled or tripled in size. I wonder if the quality of that jam packed school will start to deteriorate?
-strengthening our school systems- This is fantastic. Now the underfunded schools get all the books, desks, and technology that they need to produce the brighter kids of the future. Except the underfunded schools sometimes don't have high attendance rates either. Crap! How will our kids get smarter if they're not in class?
-tax credit-$5000 Now that is a lot of money. I have a family of five and i was able to find a quote for $4887 and some change. But that was 80% coverage and I believe my last two kids delivery and hospital stay came to about $30,000. So that would only be another $6,000 out of pocket thats not bad. And with a huge scare and a trip to the Intensive Care Unit at The University of Chicago Children's Hospital, the 4 day total came up to $206,000; imagine paying another $41,200 out of pocket. Surely that wouldn't have to be paid at once, its only like $115 a month for 30 YEARS. And there's always medicaid. For those who qualify, because if you have a family of 5 and make $1000 a month unfortunately you don't. Thats more than enough money for food, shelter, utilities with plenty to spare for health insurance. Maybe 5k isn't enough for ins. after all?
-universal health care- Now this has proven to work in other countries. Why don't people believe it can work here. How can we be upset with getting everybody the health care they need. I guess it might cost a little more for the country, but that won't matter to the little guy because taxes are gonna be cut anyway right?
Now I know that politicians have are well known for keeping promises. And doing right by our country. Believing all the save the world crap is our nations first mistake.
Second is thinking we have two choices.
Republicans want to cut social programs (but don't care who falls through the cracks)
Democrats want to increase social programs (but don't care who abuses the system)
Republicans want schools to compete for students and funding.
Democrats want to upgrade the schools to bring the students in with a good attitude.
(The problem with both of these answers are they assume all parents care about education!)
WHAT WE ARE LEFT TO CHOOSE FROM IS THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS
To fix this country we need to start with morals. Stop blaming him/her and look at each person for being responsible. Its all over tv parents can't control their kids call Nanny 911. No step up and do what parents have done for the past bagillion years. Start spending time with your kids. Know what their problems are and work on them. One answer was given to my wife for easier times. "Don't take his last name. Then file separated and you can get welfare, medicaid, housing, and the rest of your school paid for so you don't have any student loans."
We don't need to do away with these social programs. So the gov't can be the gov't . We need to regulate them a little so their not being obliterated by free loaders. Then we can use the programs how they were intended. To help people in need. Your heart bleeds for the hungry across the globe, what about the hungry here? Maybe they should just "Get a job." Oh wait a minute they work their ass off but its just not enough to get by.
In closing you want to cry about taxes? I'm poor don't tax me. I'm successful don't tax me. Set the tax at a flat rate all across the board. That way we all lose. The poor guy pays the same percent(WAAA) And the socialite heiress who didn't do a damn thing to make the money she has with the same percent has to pay more(WAAAA)
So if this seems a little one sided or undecided just remember your vote doesn't count anyway because the electoral college picks our president!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
INTRO
A little background to the title. I guess this should have been my first entry. Ask and you shall receive is basically my outlook on life. I love to help people out. I often find myself getting frustrated when i can't do enough. Yesterday was another long day of work and i had to miss stuco. With work I have been missing out on a lot lately. Its getting a little out of hand and I'm just ready to explode. I feel like there is so much to do and never enough time to do it. I hate when a friend is waiting on my help. The pressure builds steadily and today I just really wanted to get in a fight. I fought a lot growing up. It was a part of life and second nature to most of the people I knew. All the way through high school I didn't have a good friend that i didn't physically fight. It made the friendship stronger somehow. So now I'm here trying to be an example for my kids and even people around me and my temper flares. I'm not the same person I was growing up. I guess talking to my wife and friends and even typing the stress leaves a little bit at a time. Of course I know better than to just get in a fight, but it felt like my blood was boiling today. I see my temper in my kids personalities sometimes and really have to evaluate my actions. I guess this is just another way to vent. Whatever works right. If you are a friend still waiting on a favor, I'll be there soon. Don't hesitate to keep calling me because I'm also forgetful. Whatever it is its, "not a problem" This is my attitude and you can count on me for anything.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
taken for granted
i think if you know me you know that i aim to please
no favor is too big
i try to make everyone's life a little easier
i pride myself in being the go to guy
one you can count on
even the one that you thought didn't notice you, but did and is here to make things better
lately it's been pointed out and noticed that i'm not that deliberate with my family
i thought about it and have prayed on it
i have grown up quick and when things went wrong i was the strong one
not really to emotional and the one to turn to for answers
not quite sure when i stopped extending my hand to family
i guess it seems like my hand is always out to them and they won't take it
as opposed to forcing my hand to those i want to help
still growing means learning from mistakes
and this is just a little reminder of what i need to work on
i think i'm a pretty good example of how to treat others
thats not enough though
i have to start being CARING and LOVING towards my family
i grew up with my dad, one of the strongest people i knew, ending phone conversations with "who loves ya"
sure i knew he loved me
but its humbling to let everyone around you know just how much you care for them
and it means so much more to be direct and intentional with your emotions
time to stop taking people for granted
and letting them know just how much they mean to me
no favor is too big
i try to make everyone's life a little easier
i pride myself in being the go to guy
one you can count on
even the one that you thought didn't notice you, but did and is here to make things better
lately it's been pointed out and noticed that i'm not that deliberate with my family
i thought about it and have prayed on it
i have grown up quick and when things went wrong i was the strong one
not really to emotional and the one to turn to for answers
not quite sure when i stopped extending my hand to family
i guess it seems like my hand is always out to them and they won't take it
as opposed to forcing my hand to those i want to help
still growing means learning from mistakes
and this is just a little reminder of what i need to work on
i think i'm a pretty good example of how to treat others
thats not enough though
i have to start being CARING and LOVING towards my family
i grew up with my dad, one of the strongest people i knew, ending phone conversations with "who loves ya"
sure i knew he loved me
but its humbling to let everyone around you know just how much you care for them
and it means so much more to be direct and intentional with your emotions
time to stop taking people for granted
and letting them know just how much they mean to me
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