Advice for Future Students

If you like doing home works then this class is for you. I had so much fun in this class. The time 6-750pm is a drag. But having Ms Croker in class was great. It was never boring. She is so funny but interesting. I learned a lot in this class. I learned how to blog and the important part is to write effectively. She gives a lot of on line of home works aside from the five essays we had to do. Our finals consist of an essay which she guarantees it is something we can write about. I look forward to it. As long as you do your assignments and essays you should be fine. In class discussions she would lead us in writing our essays. she would give us ideas. She brings essays we can read in class that are examples of the essays she assigns. Before we submit our essays she requires us to do a rough draft of the essays. She takes time to read those or put us in groups so we can share with our classmates and have their inputs. We were also required to read a book about Fast food. It was a nice book and we had to do feedbacks about the book. That was also included in class discussions. It is a class where we had to meet only once a week but Ms Crker is always available through emails if you have any questions about the assignments. Over all this class is great. I enjoyed it a lot. I am sure that future students will enjoy it too.

Semester is almost over

Blogging was quite fun.. The experience was okay. I like the part when I had to figure out how to work the blog. When I finally figured it out, brainstorming ideas was a pain. But it was worth it. Reading my classmates' blog was interesting . They reveal a part of themselves. Sometimes you can relate to their stories. In a way it was fun. Commenting on their blogs was the best part. But as the semester comes to its end, I don't think I will continue the blog. In all I enjoyed it. Not only the blogging but the class as whole. I learned a lot. Even if we had a lot of homework, the class in general was great. Our teacher Ms Croker managed to make the class fun and interesting. I just might enroll in one her classes again. 

Thanksgiving Fun

  I had so much fun last thanksgiving with my best friend Tessie. Me and my two daughters went to her house in the afternoon. She cooked the traditional turkey and stuffing. She also cooked sweet ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole and many more. I ate so much that I had a stomach ache. After eating we sang karaoke. I met Tessie while I was serving in the Navy. Ever since we became friends, deployments were never boring. I always have fun when I am with her. During deployments we don't only hang out together but we also got each other backs. She worked in the kitchen, which meant I never had to fall in line for food in the galley. I worked in disbursing which meant that she never had issues or problems with her pay and personnel records. During liberty call we would go bar hopping, dancing, shopping and sightseeing. Whatever that is needed to be done on deployments or homeport we would do together and it was so much fun. We don't do those things anymore. We do more family oriented stuff. When we go out, we are with our kids all the time. But it still is so much fun. This Thanksgiving was not different. Although alcohol was taken out of the equation, we still enjoy each other's company. The only dull moment I have with her is when I am sad and I need a friend to talk to. Even then she makes me laugh. Me and my kids look forward to spending this holidays with her family.

Book Review:Damned Lies and Statistics: Untangling numbers from Media, Politicians, and Activist

Damned Lies and Statistics: Untangling numbers from Media, Politicians, and Activist is written by Joel Best.This book is not some other mathematics of statistic but instead it is a reflection on how society reports, views and interprets statistics in short the sociology of statistics. That is, to show how statistics are skewed and how these bad statistics generates and spread through our society. The title of this book takes after, the famous cynical phrase from Mark Twain "Lies, Damned Lies and Statistic” which groups statistics with lies.

Mr. Best’s book concentrates more in social values and a proponent use of statistics, as well how to tell bad statistics from a good one. It also focuses on how some advocates uses statistics are use in propaganda and exposes of how some statistical information are overly exaggerated in the name of cause. Some topics that are covered in this book are how statistic is use in dealing with the social issues like prostitution, homelessness, suicides, anorexia and many more. Including how statistic can be used with good intention and how bad statistics can be easily generated and modified as they are used.

            A quick summary of this book topic includes how statistics are used in dealing with social problems. On chapter one “The importance of statistics”, He explains where statistic comes from, how to use them and why they are important. Mr. Best begins his examination of the problem regarding worst social statistic ever. Chapter two “soft facts” discusses the sources of bad statistic and how bad statistic can cause social problems. Mr. Best also explains how “measurement decisions are hidden” and often times that some statistical reports ignores controversies about measurement and even well-established measure can be controversial. Guessing, poor definitions, poor measures, and bad samples are a primary source of bad statistic. On chapter three Mr. Best talks about “mutant statistics”, methods for mangling numbers. He describes the misunderstanding of statistics and its fallacies that occurs during the reporting and interpreting statistics. This misinterpretation leads to what we call “mutant statistics”. Chapter four describes the dangers of inappropriate  which we call "apples to oranges" comparisons. One of the most comparisons are when we compare the prices of items in different times. Since money's value changes over time we cannot compare same items from different times. Chapter five talks about the 'stat wars', which happens when advocates competes or uses these unquestionable numbers to make their cause more important to the public.

            Mr. Best in his concluding chapter talks about the four mindset of towards statistics. He views many people as awestruck or naive towards statistics. He advises us to be skeptics or view statistics critically and not take statistics on its face value. Damned lies and statistics is an informative introduction to social statistics. If you are new to social statistics this book would be a great read for you. On the other hand, if you are already both knowledgeable and skeptical about statistics, you may find this book to be a slow read and very boring for you. One dangers, of this book is that learning about misleading statistic may lead you to cynicism, and learning about the fallacies may lead to overall  rejection of statistics. Mr. Best hopes for the readers to not turn into cynics but instead to be critics.

Thoughts about Fast Food Nation

Fast Food Nation (FFN) has affected me in more ways than one. I may  not be doing  a major change in my lifestyle but I will be changing some of it. Some of the stories I believe has some truth to it. Schlosser did a lot of research and supported his facts. But some I just find absurd but it does not mean I will not believe what has been written in the book. I like the fact that Schlosser pointed out the shortcoming of the government regarding the fast food and meat processing issue. I also like the fact on how the fast food companies like McDonald's has taken advantage of the consumers and misleading them. He also pointed the fact of illegal labor practices of not only the fast foods but also of meat producing companies. I always thought that safety is everyone's responsibility in the work place and the burden is the biggest on the work supervisors but Schlosser has also discussed the dangers everyone faces when working for these companies. I agree with him when he said that the government is not doing enough for the consumers, for the workers and for the children. Schlosser did a fine job of proving a point. I can say that I will not be eating at  McDonald's for quite some time.

My truth

My truth was when I went to Japan in 2002. I spent six months while deployed with my unit. I love the place. They have beautiful tourist places and it is clean, and quiet. The people are so disciplined and welcoming. I want to go back to travel there in the near future.

Can't Wait 'til School is Out

I have just started school this semester. I have waited for two years before I finally decided to go back to school. I find school to be very difficult but I am glad I am coping. I am taking four classes. I am swamped by homeworks, and exams. I look forward until this semester is over so I can take a break. I plan to go back next semester but I will probably take only two classes.

I went back to school so when I graduate I can get a job or a career I can be happy and proud about. I have a year to finish my Associate's degree but if I only take two classes every semester, it will take me more than that. All my requirements are only majors because I have done all my general ed requirements. So I am torn between taking four classes or  take it slowly because I am having difficulty.

Either way I look forward to graduating and I remain hopeful throughout.

which is true?

1) I went to Japan in 2002.

2) I love to sing and dance.

3) I have two daughters.

4) I am a widow.

5) I love this class.

6) I am happy.

My Best Friend

I had the liberty to talk to one of my best friend, Eva today. I’ve known her since I was a child. She needed my opinion because her supervisor said that they are considering demoting her because she is emotional at work. Her supervisor caught her one time crying during her break, and she thought that was the reason behind the planned demotion.

Growing up, every time I feel sad, betrayed or even afraid, I always come to Eva. I always see her as someone I can turn to every time I need someone to talk to. She would often tell me what I need to do. I always feel better after talking to her. Today was very different, she came to me. I did my job as a friend; I listened and gave her my advice. It was a bit odd for me that I am the one giving the advice and consolation, usually I am the one asking for her input because I always looked up to her as an elder sister. Eva has taught me a lot, in life, in friendships, and even in relationships. It’s funny how you think you know the person for so many years and realize that this is something new I found out about her. She comes across as loud, witty, animated, and always has a comeback or a punch line for every conversation we have. She manages to turn everything into a joke, even when I am sad she finds the humor in things. I think that is what I love about her.

I am just glad that I was able to help her and it means a lot to me that she came to me in her time of need. I made me feel good to be able to help her. It changed my opinion of her. It made me realize that she can be as vulnerable as anyone else who has a problem. I found out that I can also give sound advice and I made her feel better in a way that she had always me feel. I was always the one who came to her for advice. This was the first time she came to me and asked for my advice. In the end of our conversation I told Eva that she can always come to me for anything.

In our everyday life we go through various experiences. The results can be good or bad or a combination of both. It is nice to know that you have someone you can count on.

My Fam

When I was younger, my family was not close. I came from a big family, so I just assumed our parents were too busy to pay attention to all six kids. As I got older, we became close. I became especially close to all my sisters. It all started when my mom passed away, it was tough for all of us. We just bonded like any other families in their time of need we were there for each other. My dad wasn’t around much; he left us when I was twelve. Despite the hardships, my two brothers, three sisters and I, managed. After the funeral, my siblings were paused with a problem: What are they going to do with me? I was the youngest and I was in high school. All of them have their own lives to worry about. They all have their families to focus on. It was decided that I stay with the eldest sister. Even if I stayed with my eldest sister, all of them felt responsible to take care of me, I was the baby. They would all make sure I get to eat breakfast in the morning before school, that I had clean uniforms and clean clothes to wear; they would make sure my allowance was enough. It was fun and it still makes me smile every time I remember it. They are important to me the way I am important to them. They complete me. Whatever accomplishment I have, I owe it all to them. I love my family. Now, that I have a family of my own, I tell my two daughters how important family is. When all the worlds turn against you, you are always left with your family. Every day I tell my daughters that I love them and that I appreciate them.

Profile Essay: Interview

   Susan Robles was born and raised in Oxnard CA. She went to Guadalajara Mexico for three years during her high school. She is married and has a son and a daughter. Her son is in college and her daughter is a High School freshman. Susan works in Channel Island’s High School as an Administrative Secretary for Special Program Budgets. She also works for a team of criminal defense lawyers.

   

   Susan wants to be a School Counselor when she finishes her degree. She is always busy but her husband helps her around the house and with their fourteen year old daughter. The counselors at Channel Islands High school inspire her to be a School Counselor. She is also there for them especially when they need an interpreter. Susan is a mentor to the freshman students in Channel Islands High School and she is a role model to her three younger sisters and kids. Susan describes herself as busy, eager and motivated. She sees herself retiring as a School Counselor in ten years. Her motto in life is “It can be done!”

   

   Susan likes to go to Oxnard College because it’s small and close to home. She thinks that the lighting in the college can be improved. The biggest surprise for her when she went to college was that she liked it.  

Battle Stations

It was a warm September evening in Great Lakes Il. It’s 2001; I just joined the Navy that year. About one hundred sixty impatient Navy recruits, I am one of them. We are anxiously waiting to start Battle Stations. Battle Stations is the term we use in Navy Boot Camp to describe a simulated series of “unfortunate” events each recruit goes through as a group with unrelenting pressure for twelve rigorous hours. It is a simulation of battles, crisis and ship life. It starts from ten o’ clock at night until ten o’ clock the following morning.

We all knew it was going to happen anytime soon within the seventh week in boot camp. Our RDC (Recruit Division Commander) keeps telling us to be ready, she always say it might happen tonight so be ready. And then they blew the horn it was a signal that Battle Stations is on. We fall in to general quarters and count off; General Quarters is a way to account for everybody in group or division in the Navy, the signal for General Quarters also tells us all to stand in attention then wait for instructions. After everyone is accounted for, then what seems to be a nightmare has begun. We fall into formation, then we double time. We were singing cadences.

This is one of the cadences we would sing:

Hey say that in Navy the coffee's mighty fine
it looks like muddy water and tastes like turpentine
Oh Lord, I wanna go
but they won't let me go

They say that in the Navy the chow is mighty fine
a chicken jumped off the table and started double time
Oh Lord, I wanna go
but they won't let me go

They say that in the Navy the biscuits are mighty fine
one rolled off the table and killed a friend of mine
Oh Lord, I wanna go
but they won't let me go

They say that in the Navy the training's might fine
last night there were ten of us, now there's only nine
Oh Lord, I wanna go
But they won't let me go

They say that in the Navy the pay is mighty fine
they give you a hundred dollars and take back ninety-nine
Oh Lord, I wanna go
but they won't let me go

For every scenario, we have to do a series of protocols to follow on how to deal with the situations. We know what to do because for the last seven weeks or so in boot camp we are taught how to react when such a situation occurs. We had to do simulated scenarios where we had to jump from a diving board to an Olympic size pool and swim, turn our pants into a flotation device, it was not easy to do. We swim again towards a life raft. Going in to the life raft has to be a certain way, if we don’t do it the way we’re suppose to, we fail and “we die”. Some are sent home, but the rule is if you die three times, you were sent back to the barracks. It would mean you will be set back another week, and do Battle Stations all over again with a different division. We also get to shoot weapons in a simulated firing range. We were put in a situation wherein there supposedly a CBR (chemical biological, radiological ) attack, we had to wear our gas mask the entire time and a CBR suit, it was so hot and heavy with all the other gear we had to carry. We also simulated Fire fighting. We had fireman gear on. I wouldn’t call that simulation because we dealt with real fire. We did some damage control, were we had to seal off compartments on the “ship”, to prevent it from flooding and sinking. We got wet.  We also had to go through upended shafts likened to the bottom of a ship and carry at least a hundred and eighty pound dummy in a litter. In our case it was the heaviest guy among us, he was two hundred pounds. We had to carry him while walking in a kneeling or squat position at the same time.  There wasn’t much room in there. Our only option was either to sit and scoot our butts or walk in a kneeling or squat position. It was very difficult to do.

Going from one station to the next, we are briefed by our RDC’s on what to expect, remember what we learned and pay attention to details. We learn a piece of Naval History each time and how important it is for us. They stressed that for a mistake being made it can cause a life.

We had to run from one station to the next, being careful not to be left behind because it can cause us to fail. I did not want to fail. I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t want to do this again. I will have to do this only one time. I kept praying to God to please help me get through this. As painful and tiring the experience was I did not quit. While we were running, we had other people who are running with us giving us the motivation to finish. They made sure none of us fall behind; if we do they would run back and coax us to keep up. We would be shouting out cadence and the Navy’s motto “Honor, courage and commitment!” I learned that these are other RDC’s from other divisions, Religious Specialists (they work for the Chaplain) or Chaplains. They were great motivators and they were a factor for me to not even try to give up. We had a number people who gave up, failed and got injured in the process. One girl busted both her knees, another had an asthma attack. I met this girl who was in boot camp for seven months. She got injured the first time she did Battle Stations, and then failed every Battle Stations. Fortunately she finished with our group. In the end about one hundred and fifty in my division finished.

I was so tired that I was literally falling asleep while marching. We were all wet and dirty. That following morning we marched towards the ceremony where we get to change our ball caps emblazoned with Recruits to the one with Navy. It was an emotional moment for all of us. They were playing America the Beautiful in the background. Some of us were crying. I didn’t, I was so focused on trying to be awake. I keep on bobbing my head the whole time that my RDC slightly hit me in the back of my head. I find that funny but didn’t laugh. She might kick me out of the ceremony and make me do Battle Stations all over again. After the ceremony we marched towards the galley. While in there, we ate what we want and how much we want. They served breakfast but we get to request how we want our eggs. they cook the eggs in front of us. It was the first time we didn’t get yelled at. The RDC’s were talking to us like they were our friend. It was a good break and a great feeling knowing I will be graduating the following week.

Going through the training in boot camp was hard, aside from the classroom education, we also had to be physically fit, but Battle Stations was by far the toughest. I wouldn’t want to do it all over again. I was happy when Battle Stations was finally over. I came out of boot camp totally scarred but a different and better person.

Texting

Today, communication technologies are becoming popular worldwide. The popularity of mobile phone has brought us a lot of convenience. One of these conveniences is texting or SMS (short message service) is now a feature in every mobile phone.  Texting allows you to communicate with others without the usual phone conversation or the traditional face to face meetings. This has replaced the traditional method of communication in the past.

People believe that communication is easier than before. In the past, people would send letter which would take a very long time to be delivered.  Talking on the phone and emailing also may take time while texting is a faster and instant way to transfer information. Talking to the phone may require a quiet environment while texting works in crowded or noisy places. Texting could keep us in contact with our families, friends, and other colleagues anywhere and anytime. Sending SMS are way cheaper and sometimes without cost, it provides effective ways of reducing cell phone bills. Tellecommucation companies offer good deals when you have contract with them.

However, there are also some disadvantages using this technology. Firstly with students, who gets addicted in using mobile phones and could affect their writing and grammar skills. Texting while driving has become a problem. People who drive and text are more likely to crash and cause accidents.

In conclusion, texting itself is harmless but nothing can be overused without side effects. The contribution of mobile phones to our modern world is prominent and people’s dependency to it is irreversible.

Reality TV

Reality TV has taken America by storm. Every channel we tune in when we switch on our television a Reality TV show is on. It does not matter if it’s the show Keeping Up with the Kardashans or one of the “Housewives” show, you name it and its there. There are always reruns or a marathon which makes me wonder, do people really watch this?  

I cannot really say I like Reality TV or not. I sure can say it is keeping me entertained but not for long. I usually switch the channel when I get bored, sick or a commercial comes on. It makes me ask a question though: Why do these people (the reality stars), let their viewers see how dysfunctional and messed up they are? Are they so hungry for popularity that they let us come in see what is going on in their lives at whatever the cost? Recently one of the Housewives’ husband committed suicide. In the show Toddlers and Tiaras, one of the moms injects Botox to her daughter’s face. I watched Love in the Wild and thirteen couple who just met sleep in one bedroom and share the same bed. How awful isn’t it?

I honestly think that the shows do more harm than good in the community. The show 16 and pregnant, glorifies girls who gets pregnant by actually putting them in the show. It gives teenage girls the wrong impression that it is okay to be pregnant at sixteen because a lot of girls do it, they even have a show. Jersey shore has “promiscuous” written all over the cast faces. Their vile attitudes and ridiculous stupidity is not something we want our kids to watch. It makes me sick that America watches this.

My kids and I enjoy watching Reality TV that depicts healthy competition and teaches good traits and moral character. We enjoyed watching the show Expedition Impossible wherein a group consists of three people battle against each other to win a prize. We like it because it teaches unit cohesion and solidarity.

The fact that I cannot prevent my kids from watching Reality TV makes me shiver. I take comfort in knowing that they get entertained and fascinated by it, in the same time get disgusted. I just hope that watching the shows will only be for pure entertainment. It is not something I want my kids to emulate. Reality TV shows that contain profanity and foul language has no place for show business. In fact Reality TV shows that has, should be shown only on late nights or contain a warning stating the show contain materials that are not suitable for young audiences. But even if there is some parental supervision involve, who is there to say that these shows will not cause our children’s opinions to be distorted of what is right or wrong? America has made these reality TV stars so rich that our children may say “Hey I want to be like him/her”. Let us just hope that very kid in America doesn’t say that and find vulgar reality TV shows only entertaining.

Fast Food As We Know It

     A line of different dishes lined up, inside a what seems to be a glass cage. A woman with a stick, at the end of it is a bundle of straw tied on what looks like a ponytail.  Loud noises, people shouting on top of their voices calling every person’s attention as they  pass by to check out what they had to offer. This is just one story that I can share to everyone about fast foods:  Filipino style.

    Venue:  market place, wet market place to be exact… or it could be the side streets of the town I grew up in. Each trip to the market, me and my mom would go to the local cantinas or “turo-turo”, as we like to call it. Turo means point, and as you go along you point to what you want and it is served to you with unlimited amounts of rice. So with that “turo-turo” literally means point-point. The woman with the stick attached to a bundle of straws this is what I call Filipino innovation to ward off flies that are trying to share your food. Everywhere you look, someone’s trying to sell you something especially to my mom since she is carrying a “mestiza” (half breed) child ( that would be me) while we are trying to eat our meal. The best part is when I finish my main meal and my mom would let me eat the top of the “halo-halo” we ordered, what’s on top is a Filipino version of flan. “Halo-halo” is a mixture of cured banana, sweet beans, sweet potatoes, tapioca, jackfruit, nata de coco(cultured coconut), top with crushed ice and evaporated milk. To eat it, one has to mix (halo, hence the name halo-halo) all the ingredients together first, and then enjoy the sweet blend of this very own Filipino dessert. In some restaurants the halo-halo is topped with a purple yam ice cream and flan. Just eating the ice cream and flan takes me places.

    At night, the local turo-turo would serve a different array of foods, that can, not only be eaten with rice, but also served with beer. They would barbeque different parts o the pig, cow, chicken, or fish. Usually, the innards of the pig or cow, the feet or head of the chicken, or the tail or ears of the pig. I would delight on eating these foods. They are so flavorful even though it sounds or even looks unsanitary.

    I would always ask my mom how to eat this or how to cook that, she would say “Don’t worry, your brothers and sister would cook it for you.” But that did not stop me from finding out how to cook it, but unfortunately I soon found out that these foods tasted better if I am “NOT” the one cooking it. I don’t know if it’s just me or simply every cook has their own hidden secret of preparing it which I would soon find out after twenty six years. I say twenty six because I was twenty six years old when I learned how to cook, but I am not here to talk about my cooking, I want to talk about fast food- Filipino Style.

    I am the youngest in the family and my mom loved taking me places and anywhere she took me, this kid has got to eat. So I get to pick what I eat no matter where I am.… Yes, even when I am home. If I didn’t like what is on the table my mom would send someone to buy food from the local turo-turo or take me with them so I can point on the food that I want. My parents don’t only feed me Filipino fast food they also feed me American fast food. We would go to the navy base’s cafeteria where they serve burgers, fried chicken, barbecue beef or pork. I enjoyed watching the cooks fire up the grill, and serve the food with great speed in just a blink of an eye.

    My relationship with fast food never ended even when I came down with hepatitis. My dad was horrified. I was told to never eat at any fast foods again. I still ate…. behind his back. My mom didn’t care she would still feed me these foods. My mom would say so I can develop antibodies from all the dirt I’m putting in. I sure do love eating it.

    When I was eight years old. My sister worked in the city that is a good two to three hours away from our town. One day she surprised me with a bag that has a burger, fries and best of all- a toy (I think it was the hamburger toy from McD’s) inside it. She said that there is this new restaurant that opened where she worked at and that it was called McDonald’s. She said that all Americans go there to eat and that one day she would take me there to eat, too. My sister only comes home once a week and she would always bring the burger with toys that I later came to find out that it’s called a happy meal. Then one day she said since the school is out “I want you to come with me at Angeles City, so we can eat at McDonald’s”. I was ecstatic. So we went and guess what they have this indoor playground too. My sister brought her camera and took my picture in front of the store and with Ronald McDonald, the statue. It was bliss!

     As time passed by I would bring my two daughters to McDonald’s too. It would be a weekly thing. I had this gig, yes I call it a gig, I would buy women’s bags, clothes, and perfume, even Tupperware, then sell it. My customers pay me installment every payday. So every time I collect at the end of the week I would take my kids to McDonald’s or Jollibee, a strong McDonald’s competitor, they sell the same thing as McDonald’s except they have a giant red and yellow bee for their mascot. It became part of my family life. Every trip to McDonald’s or Jollibee is to be remembered.

    That is until I went to America and joined the Navy. I left my kids to the care of my sister. The once a week trip to McDonald’s or Jollibee became a once a month thing. It was still something nice to remember. I took my kids to the US after two years. Lo and behold  I took my kids to McDonald’s almost every day. Until my kids would say “Ma… just cook we don’t want to eat McDonald’s anymore.” Good thing I already know how to cook by then, I had to learn because no one would cook for me anymore. But working full time in the Navy, it was always hard to find time to cook, even if I have time I don’t have the energy. I just do whatever it is that is convenient for me.

    I feel guilty a lot of times when I would feed my kids fast food, but the guilt is most often overridden by fried chicken. Now I stopped working, we still eat fast food and the three of us gained weight for the past two years. Since I stopped working, I thought I can spend more time with my kids and I’ll finally be able to do what I couldn’t do before. Maybe, I’ll bake more, cook more, learn to sew and even though I did all that we still ate fast food. It’s like a bad habit that I cannot break. It has become a part of me, a part of my family. If Kentucky chicken is selling 10 pieces of fried chicken with three large sides for twenty dollars, how can you argue with or even resist that? How can I fight the twenty pieces chicken nuggets for $4.99 at McDonald’s? It is not only cheap but very convenient, I don’t even have to park my car, I just drive through it.

    I think I am not the only alone for feeling this guilt. All moms are. The daily rigors of raising a family are always coupled with the convenience o purchasing fast food. What is there to do? I think I’m just weak, like the rest of us. No wonder why half of the country is morbidly obese. I always tell my daughter that with my height if I become one hundred pounds overweight they can just shoot me. I gained twenty pounds since I separated from the navy two years ago. If that didn’t stop me from eating these greasy, unhealthy foods, what will?

About Me.

I was born and raised in the Philippines. I’m the youngest of six children, two brothers and three sisters, who I’ve grown so close to. I’m blessed with two daughters, who are the best and is always there for me no matter what. I value friendship and family. I have several best friends and I am so glad to have meaningful friendships with them. I’m very ambitious and hardworking. When I do something I dedicate my time and put a lot of effort so I can make sure that it will turn out to be the best. I can be persistent and impatient when I want something. I can be annoying if I want to, and childish at times. I like animals; you can say I’m a dog lover. I love taking care of my five Labrador pets in the Philippines whom I miss the most. Their names are Angel, Dyosa, Miley, Dagul, and Tisoy. I mention my two daughters earlier; I would like very much to talk about them. They are the love of my life and I live and breathe for them. My eldest is Aya she is eighteen and has dreams to become a computer network engineer someday. My youngest is Lulu, she is 13 and she dreams of getting a degree in medicine someday. Our normal day routine is to go to school come back and share a meal and stories together. They are both my best friends.

I move to Oxnard a few years back with my daughters while I was in the military. I moved a lot after that going to several places like Guam, Spain & Japan. I decide to move back in Oxnard CA after my tour. I like this area & it is what’s familiar to me & my children. The things I love the most is chocolates, the color red, sleeping, and cooking, reading books and magazines, logging on to Facebook, watching TV series, singing and dancing though singing and dancing seem to not love me, I also love taking long walks on the beach or on the park, biking and running, On my free time you would likely see me going to the movies with my two daughters, window shopping, and eating my home cooked meals which are usually chicken adobo, sinigang, pancit, and eggrolls... all are Filipino dishes. The kinds of people I enjoy the most are the ones with great sense of humor and those who value truth and loyalty.

Right now my plan is to pursue a career in Information Technology. I hope to succeed so in the future when I retire I can go back to my hometown in San Antonio, Zambales Philippines. I’d also like to go on cruise and to travel the world and see other places and learn other people’s culture. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog about me. I deeply thank you for taking the time to read my boring blog. I really don’t have much to say I don’t like to talk about myself I’d rather people I know talk about me, but I do hope I’ve said enough.