Beautiful India

(This was my first missionary trip to India...I should have shared this with you all sooner. I am planning on serving again very soon)

10/26/2011

A Short Walk

Dateline October 19, 2011
Cheebo
LaKishia D. McCain

One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 22:16.  It simply says this:

“He defended the cause of the poor and needy,  and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD”.  My entire outlook of traveling thousands of miles away from my family, friends and comfort of my own home has always been reassured by this scripture.  The Lord had brought us safely to India, pass the “Customs situation” and now we were finally on our way to our first village, Cheebo.

According to our itinerary, Cheebo was only a three mile drive away from Kalimpong.  Now, for most Americans three miles is a very short trip yet, I found out very quickly that three miles of driving on any road in India is more like taking a “joy ride” on a roller coaster while playing a game of “chicken”.  My Uncle Byron and fellow team member, Andy laughed at my nervous response to the constant swerving, loud horns, sudden stops and spontaneous lane changes.  To be honest, there are no lanes in India. The drivers blow their horns to signal or warn  that they are going to pass the other car and go for it.  The fact that most of the roads are either “washed out” from the previous Monsoon season or what many Americans would classify as a one lane road, has nothing to do with speed.  The vehicles are so close that it is quite possible to touch the passing cars.  After looking out the window and discovering just how high up we really were, I decided to try to force myself to go to sleep.  The view of the long descent down and missing guard rails was more than I could take at the moment.  I closed my eyes and prayed that we would arrive at Cheebo very soon.

We were told that the jeeps would not be able to make it up the hills that led into Cheebo.  This meant that we would have to take a “short walk” into the village.  As   I mentioned before, nothing is what it seems to be in India.  So, I braced myself for the short walk.  For brevity, the “short walk” included walking up and down washed out terrain.  I guess something was really funny because many people were laughing.  Our friend and translator, Anup asked me if he should carry me along with the luggage.  I had to remind myself of the scripture to keep from crying. 

The friendly people of Cheebo, greeted us with hot tea and warm smiles.   There were two Indian doctors who were working with us for the day.  Everyone was eager to set up our “make shift” medical facility.  The villagers had cleaned out a three room building for us.  They covered the outside area so that we could work in  the under the shade. Anu, Pastor Nandu’s wife and I were assigned to Wound Care and quickly began to unpack and set up the area. I was really surprised that there were not a lot of people who needed to have their wounds treated.  In retrospect of our entire time here, I have seen more cases of scabies, possible MRSA, psoriasis, and other types of dermal fungal infections.   
 
Mike and Byron were assigned to Triage.  Andy made sure the children were kept happy by offering them candy and balloons while Sarah and Charles “floated”.  One of the Indian doctors evaluated and the other worked in the Pharmacy.

Half way through our day the villagers offered the doctors and team a hot meal.  As, I said before....nothing is simple in India.  Anu had showed me where and how the meals are prepared.  No electricity was used to cook the meal.  The chicken, rice and potatoes were all cooked by fire.

Despite the rough time that I had walking up to Cheebo, I felt really honored to be able to take part in this mission.  In comparison to other medical teams, we are a very small team of  only six people.  But, somehow the Master Physician has handpicked each one of us and given us orders. Unsure and honestly a bit scared of the walk back, the unsteady roads we had to drive, I was determined to follow His orders. We were able to assess 68 people in Cheebo all in the name of God’s love and grace!   We had three more  villages to go! As we drove back to our home, I closed my eyes and smiled for a few seconds because... “all went well”. 

Tired of hearing people say...

I am so  tired of hearing people say, "It is what it is."  I realize that there are different definitions of this phrase but, I am disgusted with the people who use it as an excuse to justify their narcissitic behavior.  In my opinion, those five little words are some of the most selfish words ever put together in one sentence.  I don't know if this phrase is used in any other part of the world, but in many urban American cities, this is a very common phrase.  People are saying it in our schools, stores, churches and just about every place in between.  Let me explain how it is used.
Some sources define the phrase, "it is what it is" as a phrase that seems to simply state the obvious but actually means "it will be what it is," as in "it ain't gonna change, so deal with it or don't." (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=It+is+what+it+Is).  If most people were using it like that I could digest that a little easier yet, many people are using this phrase to be dismissive or as a way to excuse their unacceptable behavior.  For example, your friend is very late for a very important meeting and you ask them why didn't they make the proper preparation to be on time. Your friend's response? "I don't know...it is what it is."  I have personally heard people belt out this phrase instead of "owning" up to their faults way too many times.  America, let's stop this "it is what it is mindset"  and start being accountable for our choices!  We have the power to make things the way it should be!

Doing our part

The Summer Enrichment Academic Training 2011 Program is at the starting line! Our engines are roaring and we are ready to "STEP IT UP"! We had a wonderful turn out for the very first OPEN HOUSE which was held on Saturday, June 11. Area parents, children, teachers, and volunteers showed up and filled the Learning Center to capacity. I can't really tell you why many of us was astounded by the turn out. Sometimes the "stats" and numbers can seem grim but, our enrollment numbers show that there are parents and adults who want to see some changes in our schools. We have a waiting list! (go figure...lol)Monday (Update) June 13, 2011 Volunteer Orientation went well this this afternoon. We are encouraged because God is honoring our efforts. I think so highly of all the teachers and volunteers who are giving their time. The teachers that are giving their summers to do this are just phenominal! They could have easily committed themselves to "paid jobs" but they chose to devote their time freely to educate a few kids. That, is pure passion!

As I watched my Mother today, the stress that I had come through the door with suddenly left. She is passionate about this also and I watched her with amazement. My parents are my heroes. I don't know if I mentioned it before but this entire idea was birthed in my Daddy's mind. For years, he always told us that his dream was to open a learning center that would help urban kids succeed. My Mother (who teaches) has always went far and above to help any child in need.The center was not overflowing to capacity with volunteers, as it was on Saturday. In fact, you could count on two hands the small group that showed up today yet, we are encouraged and thankful for the ones who did come. Encouraged that more people will come when they have time. Encourage for the mixture of cultures that are working together under the name of one
common cause-S.E.A.T! Encouraged that this might not be like my "colorful childhood" that I was blessed to have in Long Beach but, in our small space of the world....there is a place where "ALL" children and adults are working together. Encouraged that even though some people can't come because they are working, they are praying for S.E.A.T. Encouraged that people will remember our program the next time they visit Target or Walmart and purchase something for our students or volunteers because they understand that this is a free program. Encouraged that we are doing something that is good.
We are not complaining or trying to be grand or great! We are just trying to make the change that we want to see.


We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa

Common sense & Life Lessons from Daddy

Daddy always told my older brother to use common sense in every situation. I can't tell you how many times he would sit us down to explain how important it was to
have "common sense". Daddy's definition of "common sense" included listening more & talking less, being a leader instead of a follower, business ethics, street knowledge and of course always being prepared. Being prepared had its own set of rules & guidelines which always ended in a PLAN B.
Looking back, I find humour in the way he would turn our mishaps into life lessons. For example, the summer that my older brother learned it was better to do his chores first and play with his friends later. "Son,do it now and you can relax the rest of the day," he said as he left for work. California summers were always dry & hot so my daddy warned my brother to mow the grass while it was still early & the sweltering sun hadnt yet fully encompassed the day. Being that school was out for the summer, my brother ignored the entire statement and used that opportunity to enjoy his bed. His bed summoned him, he rolled over & went back to sleep. He slept till almost 1pm.
If it had not been for the loud knocks on our door, the pounding of the basketball and his rowdy group of friends who were desparately trying to recite line's from Run DMC's, ever popular rap, "King of Rock" he probaly would have slept all day. But, instead of keeping his friends waiting he quickly got dressed, grabbed his"boom box" with one hand, a handful of wheaties in the other, and left.
I didn't have to ask where they were going to because I already knew. We lived just a few short blocks from our school and just about every child in the neighborhood met there during the summer to take advantage of its playgrounds, teather balls,open space & adult free zone.
He returned home just before my parents did but somehow had completely erased my daddy's orders for the yard. In those days of simplicity and routine, parents came home from work in time to enjoy a family dinner together. We even talked, laughed and teased one another during dinner. For some odd reason, most of my friends & I normaly had dinner around the same time. Occasionally, someone would knock at the door & beg you to hurry up with dinner because the "street lights" would soon come n, "Street lights" were indicators to us that it was time to go inside the house. The penalty in our house for not being indoors by the time the streetlights came on was severe. My brother skipped out the door after supper.
From the dining room window, my daddy watched his carefree son run & play. Now in my opinion, kids played harder than they do today. Staying indoors on a sunndy day was only allowed if you were very ill. My brother, played even harder. By the end of the day he was just simply, exhausted.
Mom told him to shower and come enjoy the while daddy still silenty observed him in disbelief. They both warned me not to remind him of that one little task that he was told to do.
because this was a teachable moment.
At 1am in the morning......I was awakend by the sound of the roaring lawn mower going up and down our yard. I looked out the window and tried my best not to laugh too loud at what I saw. Were my eyes decieving me? I rubbed them for more clarity and discovered that I was seeing correctly. 1am in the morning in the stillness and darkness of that still hot and muggy summer night, I saw my brother mowing the grass. A flashlight in one hand, the mower in the other.

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the indians that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local indians did participate, this "first Thanksgiving" was not a holiday, simply a gathering. There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.
We just finished our Thanksgiving Dinner. As, I type at this computer, with a stuffed belly and satisfied soul I have so much to be thankful for. I am surrounded by the people who are most dear to me, my loved ones. My Father, has taught us once again, what it means to be a true, loving Father. Mom wasn't feeling well, so Dad volunteered to cook the entire spread this year. When he announced to us that he would be cooking, I thought perhaps it was him who wasn't feeling well. Did he really know what he was asking to do? Dad said things would go smoothly...his only request? For his three granddaughthers to spend the night with him to help him cook. As I reflect, on his request I realize that he just wanted to spend extra time with them because he ended up doing the majority of the work. The food was great, the time spent together even better. Dad didn't miss a beat. Everything that Mom normaly cooks, he cooked. (or he ordered)
So, what am I thankful for? Honestly, the simple things make me happy and thankful. A healthy heart that continues to beat even when I am sleep. Children who are healthy and able to learn. I work for a non-profit org. and the individuals that I work with are not able to learn. They are mentally disabled. Clean water to drink. I turn on the tap and the water comes out. Electricity. A lot of my friends that live abroad always tell me how sporatic the electricity can be in their area. The only time my electricity goes out is if I don't pay my bill. Oh and thank God, that I have a job. I like my job. My job makes me feel like I am at least making an impact in someone's world. Good health...I can use my hands to type, my eyes can see clearly, I can hear and speak. I am not in any type of Pain. Thank you, Lord! The list goes on and on....
Well, I have to end this post now. My family is waiting. We have a tradition in our family. To make ourselves feel a bit better we like to take a short walk. We are about to take a walk around the neighborhood. After that we are getting ready to light the fire place and watch the "Wizard of Oz".

shhhh!

ssshhhhh! We have some dirty secrets here...Sometimes we tend to not talk too much about it because well, our super ego just won't allow it.We want others to think that we are perfect, we do no wrong. Everthings fine over here. But,we are all guilty and in denial. You are guilty, I am guilty. We are guilty of doing nothing about the problem. We are all guilty of not protecting all of our children.
Street kids, child sex trafficking, sex tourism, and mail order brides. What comes to your mind when you hear words like that? What places have you told yourself that inexplicable acts like these only take place in? Where do you tend to think of?Rio de Janeiro? Mumbai? Kenya? Russia? Certainly, not America.
Most of the time when we read or hear about children being sold into prostitution or child sex trafficking we assume that it is in some far off land far far away from our North American shores! Sadly our media, as it so often does, will strategically focus on this issue as if it is something new, or unheard of. Some even take the ridiculous attitude and pretend that it “just doesn’t happen behind our borders.” But, “if walls could talk” as my sweet Mother, would say so many times. “If walls could talk” I am sure that many people would probably be surprised and ashamed of the reality.
It happens here! It happens there! It happens everywhere! Unfortunately until, we can come up with some concrete ways of preventing malicious adults from selling children for sex and severely prosecuting those who do so…then, we have a problem. It’s not an American problem, it’s not an African problem, it’s not an Asian problem….it’s a world problem.
UNICEF estimates that 1,000 to 1,500 Guatemalan babies and children are trafficked each year for adoption by couples in North America and Europe. Girls as young as 13 (mainly from Asia and Eastern Europe) are trafficked as “mail-order brides.” In most cases these girls and women are powerless and isolated and at great risk of violence. Large numbers of children are being trafficked in West and Central Africa, mainly for domestic work but also for sexual exploitation and to work in shops or on farms. Nearly 90 per cent of these trafficked domestic workers are girls.
This is little Shaniya Davis. She was five years old. Yes, I said was. Shaniya was found dead after she had been raped. Her lifeless little body had been tossed to the side of the road after the cruel, heartless predator raped and killed her.For many days volunteers and authorities searched for her.
Her mother, who is now in police custody is facing charges of human trafficking.

I'm an "ex"

The very same day that I decided to get my hair "chopped" I also made the decision to eliminate meat, fish and chicken from my diet. Now, for an African American that is a very hard thing to do because "soul food" revolves around the main dish...chicken fish, stew, ribs, or some kind of meat. To be honest with you, many black people feel that if you don't have some kind of meat on your plate then you are not truly eating and may even perish from lack of nourishment.
"Why would you want to do a thing like that?" "Is everything okay?" "Are you feeling well?" are the questions that some of my family members ask. In their minds this is most craziest thing that they have ever heard of and there must be something wrong with me. But, to be honest with you I am feeling better than I have felt in a long time. I have more energy. I don't have that bloated-full feeling that I used to have. It's been two months and I don't even crave any type of meat. If I did the food industry has made all sorts of vegetarian products that can fulfill that yearning. For example, if I wanted a burger...then I could eat a "veggie burger" which is made from soy beans instead of a cow.
Out of all the questions that friends and family ask, there is one question that seems to ponder in everyone's minds. Why? I could go on and on about my reasons. First of all, I am not an animal activist or anything like that. My reasons are health related. But, just to give you and idea of where I am coming from here we go:


Meat, Fish and poultry transmit bacterial and parasitic infections to humans. Pesticides, antibodies, and hormones find access to our bodies through the meat we eat.
The fat found in dairy products and all animals except fish is highly saturated. Saturated fats in the diet tend to raise the blood cholesterol and accelerate the development of hardening of the arteries by the process of arteriosclerosis.
... what about protein?
We are told we need meat for protein, but we are NOT told that the cooking of meat changes the molecular structure of the protein and renders the protein in the meat unusable by the human body. Even if the meat could be assimilated properly by the body, cooking it kills almost all of the nutrients and if meat is not cooked, well then we have a host of other problems. We are only eating it for taste.
It is a known fact that eating flesh of dead animals is hard to digest and some of it rots in the gut before elimination can take place and this putrefying residue is absorbed into the blood stream and it poisons the entire system.
As it stands today, I am an ex meat eater.

Promise Keeper

My life has been incredibly busy this semester! I usually make time to relax and write at least one entry over the weekend but, this has not been the case this semester. My weekends have been just as busy as my weekdays. Alot of things have changed since my last entry. I am still the same person but,I decided to keep the promise that I made to myself at the beginning of the summer..... So here's the before the promise......................................



I think you understand now.....

September 11....

Printed textbooks so yesterday?

I volunteered the other day, at our neighborhood school and was amazed at just how “high-tech” elementary schools have become. For example, you can’t even just walk up and say, “I’m here…I’d like to volunteer.” I don’t think so….A full background and criminal check has to be done and you have to electronically register as a volunteer. In other words, you have to be approved. I like this. This is good thing, when you consider all the pedophiles and would be criminals who lurk around school playgrounds waiting for the opportunity to snatch someone’s pride and joy.
Ok, one of the big changes in America’s classrooms is “The Pledge of Allegiance”. As a child, I can recall one thing that was certain…The Pledge of Allegiance. After the “beginning bell” rung, the teacher would pick someone to lead the class in confirming the pledge. This was an honor for most kids. The entire class would stand, face the American flag, place your right hand over your heart and recite the words:

“I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.”


Well, now most classrooms in my city, are equipped with television sets. Only for educational purposes, might I add. Many schools have their own news cast (which students operate) After the “beginning bell” of the day, the teachers turn on the TV, the news cast gives the morning announcements for the school. The entire school is silent as they watch their fellow students inform them of the projects, activities and agenda for the school. This will last maybe five minutes or so. At the close of the broadcast, the cast asks the entire school to stand and collectively recite the pledge of allegiance. It’s really an awesome thing to witness. My daughter was chosen as broadcaster and it has really sparked an interest of media in her. She says she wants to go into communication or be a broadcast journalist.

In the state that gave the world Facebook, Google and the iPod, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says forcing California's students to rely on printed textbooks is so yesterday" according to USA today. So, you’ve guessed it folks. Yes, ebooks, and online texts are coming to a school near you.

Not to mention, school lunch for most little tikes has gone already cyber? Once upon a time, when I was a child your mother either packed your lunch in a brown paper bag. On the days that Mommy did not want to pack our lunch she would give us 40cents in an envelope to give to our teacher. Our teacher would forward the money to the cafeteria worker who was in charge of lunch accounts. The 40 cents would cover the entire lunch which most of the time included: a meat, vegetable, fruit, milk, bread and cheese.


Now days, children have online lunch accounts…the parents may deposit the lunch
money for the child up to one day or the entire year via online. A perk to this is the parents have 24hour access to their child’s account so when the funds are low…well, you know it’s time to deposit that lunch money! The kids all know their individual account numbers so very rarely is any currency passed. Oh, and please don’t forget that there is also an a la carte menu for the “picky”. But, please don’t think that there is no standard in all of this.

notes: Meals served under the National School Lunch Program must, by federal law, meet nutrition guidelines based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. No more than 30% of calories can come from fat and less than 10% from saturated fat. School lunches provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories.

In North Carolina, 96 percent of schools have increased fresh fruit and 86 percent of schools have increased fresh vegetables. There are usually a number of fruit and vegetables selections available each day. These may be canned, frozen, fresh or dried. There is an emphasis on dark green, deep yellow or orange fruits or vegetables, and items that are not fried. More legumes (dried peas and beans) are also being introduced.
http://www.nutritionnc.com/ResourcesForSchools/pdf/schoolMealsPromoKit/FactSheets/themythofschoolmeals.pdf

End of a modern day dynasty...

Today our nation bid the final farewell to one of our beloved, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy. He was known to many Americans by different names depending on the audience. Some of us knew him as simply "Ted" or "Teddy" Kennedy. Others note him for being the youngest and the last of the Kennedy brothers. "The baby of the family" is how my grandmother describes him. Personally, even before his final days of battling brain cancer I demanded that my children know of this great man. "You need to know who this is," I told them as I read excerpts about him to my girls. "Of the white Americans who did the most to help the advancement of civil rights, Ted Kennedy would be on the short list. He may even be at the top of it," said Douglas Brinkley, a history professor at Rice University. "He wasn't just for civil rights in the sense of the movement, but for dignity rights for all people."To others he was known as the "Lion of the Senate". Respected amongst most of his peers, during the eulogy, even our President called him " "a champion for those who had none, the soul of the Democratic party and the lion of the United States Senate."
Senator Ted Kennedy held his position in the U.S. Senate for more than four decades. Kennedy was considered one of the most effective legislators of the past few decades, especially in his ability to cross party lines to get legislation passed. He had major roles in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act, the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act and the Kennedy-Hatch law of 1997. In 1994, Kennedy was instrumental in helping the Clinton administration with its plan to overhaul health care. In 2001, Kennedy worked with President Bush to enact the No Child Left Behind Act. He later complained publicly that he had been hoodwinked, because the legislation did not include funding to pay for its requirements. Kennedy voted against the Iraq war, in 2003. He fought for comprehensive health care alongside the nation's first black president, Barack Obama. In fact, Kennedy, an early supporter of Obama's presidential campaign, seemingly handed the torch down to Obama before the "Super Tuesday" Democratic primaries by likening the senator from Illinois to his brother, the late president, John F. Kennedy. I can recall on that Tuesday, the laughter of my father when as we watched the senator endorse Obama. "That's it, if Ted has put his stamp on it, that's all he needs," he said. It was somewhat true, senator Kennedy held a lot of weight in the senate. It will be very hard to replace him. Rest in peace, Sir.

soul food staples

In my opinion, there is really no difference between "Soul Food" and "Southern Food". The only difference is the way it is prepared. Southern cuisine has been reportedly developed from soul food. African Americans have played a pivotal role in the development in southern cuisine. Many famous southern cuisine chefs have been African Americans.
Here's a quick history lesson...
The first group of Africans landed in America in Jamestown, Virginia. They brought food over to America including seeds of native crops. African American slaves were farmers, cattle raisers, and fishermen and introduced several plants such as black-eyed peas, okra, sweet sorghum, and watermelons as part of American’s crops and foods.
African American slaves were indentured servants and had to pay their due by giving up several years of their life. This made up the slave population in Southern America and was the beginning of soul food history
A traditional Southern meal is deep fried chicken, field peas, mashed potatoes, cornbread, sweet tea and a dessert that could be a pie (sweet potato, pecan and peach are traditional southern pies), or a cobbler (peach, blackberry or mixed berry are traditional cobblers).
The slaves had to create their own dishes from the leftovers that their masters did not eat. They often exchanged recipes verbally with each other which led to the development of African American cuisine. This was how many of their foods were gathered for their meals.
Cooking was mostly done on open pits or fireplaces with large swing black pots and big iron cast skillets and was prepared by black cooks. Using open pits or fireplaces are now used as grills for cooking. At most of our family gatherings we still cook with the large swing black pots.
In the 1960‘s , Southern-style cooking of Black Americans, now labeled as “Soul Food” was due to its roots in American slavery. It was also a reminder that African American slaves paved the way in the development of African American style cooking.
Many years ago, black cooks verbally exchanged recipes as they remembered them and today many Southerners still cook without a recipe, just by simply remembering main ingredients and adding seasonings to their taste. This way of cooking has produced many great cooks. This is what soul food cooking is all about

California blues....

Sometimes I really miss California. I miss the variety of people from all different cultures and backgrounds. I grew up in Long Beach, California. A beach city that is bursting with different nationalities and cultures. Although there have been racial tensions amongst groups of local gangs in the past, Long Beach is basically one big blended family. For example, my Godfather is Latino, his wife?Caucasian. My childhood best friends were: Japanese, Samoan, African American and Filipino. All of the schools that I attended in Long Beach included people from many different parts of the globe.
I miss being able to drive to Las Vegas for the weekend. Its only a 4 hour drive.
I miss seeing the fog roll off the ocean just about every morning. I miss being able to ride my bike down to the shore. By the way...the shore is the Pacific Ocean. I miss camping out at the beach all nite beside a bonfire...(sigh)
I really miss hanging out at the beach at night beside a bonfire while waiting for the grunions to run!A summer evening is a perfect time to have a SoCal experience. If there is anything that is uniquely Southern Californian, then this phenomenon just might personify it. Picture yourself on one of Cali's beaches - at night - with a few dozen other people. The tide is high and the waves are rolling pretty far up the sand line. Suddenlly, as a wave recedes, you spot hundreds of silvery things, wiggling on the sand. Then, just as quickly, the next wave rolls in, then out, and with it the silvery spectres. Yep, you are witnessing a famous California grunion run. from March through September, one of the most remarkable life cycles in the sea is completed when the California grunion comes ashore to spawn.
According to the California Department of Fish and Game, as if this behavior were not strange enough, grunion make these excursions only on particular nights, and with such regularity that the time of their arrival on the beach can be predicted a year in advance. This phenomenon can be seen on many beaches in southern California. Shortly after high tide, on certain nights, sections of these beaches sometimes are covered with thousands of grunion depositing their eggs in the sand. Hence, the popularity of both grunion watching and grunion hunting.
I miss the stores, restaurants and other attractions that stay open all night. Here most of the places close around nine or ten. I recall the many times my brother and I would sneak out the house for a quick run to the AM/PM mini market. A 24 hour store that was stocked with all sorts of foods to curve any appetite. According to their website, they've sold over 18,000,000 hot dogs...That’s more than enough hot dogs to build a railroad through the state of Washington. Over 1,000 tons of hamburgers were sold, which is enough meat to feed a small country somewhere.
But, the South is not all that unbearable or I otherwise would've moved back to Cali years ago. I have lived here for sixteen years now and have only been back to LB once. Maybe its time to visit family & friends?

A few semesters back I took an African American Literature course. The text that we used was called, The Norton Anthology of African American Literature Vol.2. The editor? Henry Louis Gates Jr. I had become very familiar with Gates way before the course or even recent events. I remember as a teenager reading about him....oh yes, he was....one of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential Americans" in 1997. Holder of 50 honorary degrees, acclaimed historian, Harvard professor and PBS documentarian.Many may recall in 2006-2007 many African American celebrities such as: Oprah Winfrey,Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock, Tina Turner, Don Cheadle, Tom Joyner and Maya Angelou and many more traced their roots by DNA. Well, Gates was the host and mastermind.
(now fast forward to July 2009) My friend called me and told me to turn to CNN. To my disbelief I see photos of a handcuffed Gates. According to the NPR, On July 16, Cambridge police responded to a call that two black males with backpacks were breaking in to a two-story home near the Harvard campus. By the time police arrived, Gates was already inside his home. He refused to step outside to speak with the police. Eventually, Gates showed some identification and, according to the police report, began yelling at an officer. Gates was handcuffed and led away.
When one of America's most prominent black intellectuals winds up in handcuffs, it's not just another episode of profiling — something is terribly wrong. We are not where we used to be, but we have a long bumpy road to travel.If this man can be taken away by police officers from the porch of his own home, what does it say about the treatment that average blacks can expect in 2009?

HAPPY 4TH!

As I write this post I can actually hear the sounds of fireworks exploding through the air. This will go on all night! I'm not complaining. I should be used to it by now because this has been the routine in most American cities during this time of year for as long as I can remember. Matter of fact, I can recall my mother and father taking us to see the fireworks in Long Beach at the Queen Mary.(Quick history lesson:) The Queen Mary is a ship that was bigger, faster and more powerful than her predecessor the ship Titanic. The RMS Queen Mary lived a long life that included 1,001 successful Atlantic crossings. During World War II, she carried troops across the Atlantic and afterward, she ferried war brides and children to the United States and Canada and then returned to service as a transatlantic cruise ship. She now rests in the Long Beach, California harbor, converted into a hotel and tourist attraction.
Those were great memories. Can you imagine...we lived 11 blocks from the shore? So, all of our celebrations and festivites revolved around the water.
Now, that I live on the east coast some things have changed but not really when it comes to the 4th of July. The rockets and "black cats" are still sounding off. Tomorrow most people will attend large gatherings in someone's backyard or the park.
Hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs, steaks, and just about every edible thing will find its place on the grill. (lol) Kids will be running and screaming enjoying themselves under the blazing sun. Someone will start a water balloon fight. Adults will somehow or another find a reason to do the "electric slide" while the older folks just look on with amazement...or is it pity? And as soon as the sun sets?.. we all will make our way to see the "big firework show" that's usually downtown. For the past couple of years, the traffic downtown is so heavy that we normally find a side street and either sit on top of our truck or make the walk to be a better view. Whatever ends up happening I am sure that it will make a great July 4th, 2009!

Land that I love...

Tonight, July 3rd...I was listening to NPR's "Tell Me More" with host,Michel Martin on the way to work. In commemoration of Independence Day (July 4th) she did a interview, called Meditations On Freedom: From Oppression To Liberty. After the show I began to think about what freedom and living in this country means to me... Anyone who knows me knows that (sometimes) I tend to be a bit vocal the mistakes of my country. But, for the record I need to make it very clear that I love this country. Although, many people have the choice of choosing their homeland, somehow or another this land chose me...(and I am greatful in an odd way...its kind've hard to explain) I'm not going to turn this into a negative note about my country because with all of its past and current faux pas...I love my country. I am very proud to be an American. We have alot of freedom here. I appreciate the opportunity to live in such a place as this. From talking to many of my friends from other countries I think sometimes we, Americans tend to take our freedoms for granted. We have the freedom to do just about anything...well, any logical thing. I guess it all depends on your definition of logical. We have so many rights and laws that lately its been a bit confusing and contradictive. Some laws are absolutely necessary to hold together the fabric of a decent society. Some you might think are necessary, but aren’t on the books at all. Here's one-"A man who was caught driving naked was let go because there was no law against such behavior, according to Jacksonville.com...Police simply ordered him to put on some clothes, get back behind the wheel and drive home. They had to let him go because no law prohibits driving naked." But, nothings perfect. As, I told my neice the other day the beautiful thing about America is that not only is it a place for everyone but also the "Checks and Balances" of the US keep order and democracy in place. (most of the time) So,
Happy 4th! Happy Birthday America!!!

How you spend your days... is of course,how you live

I have to apologize to those of you who are following my blog. I owe you an apology! Please forgive me.I apologize to all of you! I was so happy to see that none of you have left me! (Thanks for following!) Its been a while since my last post. So here's a quick update. On May 12 the Spring semester ended.I was so excited to end the Spring semester because I just knew that I would have a few days of well needed r&r (rest and relaxation)time to enjoy my days, sip on some iced green tea, read a good book, watch a good movie and take it easy.
Boy, was I wrong! The following week I began my summer nursing class. I decided to take this specific class during the month of June and get it out of the way. A fews days later I began an online sociology course. Needless to say I barely have time to enjoy my home. I have to admit that sometimes it is quite stressful balancing the family, school, volunteering, and work and well just managing life! But, I am not complaining because life is all about enjoying the ride. Life is about how you enjoy your days! How you live! I tend to forget that sometimes. A quick run to the gas station made me remember this.
As my usual routine requires, the other day I hurriedly stopped by the gas station to get some overpriced gasoline.(lol) As usual, the regular cashier was waiting to assist me. Let me tell you about the cashier. This particuluar cashier is a very well mannered, calm spirited guy who always takes out a moment to ask me how my day is going. "How's your day going?"he asked in a calm and sincere voice. Did he really want to know? I thought. My response? Before I knew it I had rattled off a list of complaints about how tired, weak, hungry, stressed, overworked, underpaid, desparately in need of a vacation, time at the spa, day with the girls... well you get the picture, right?
His response to my eratic answer changed my whole outlook. He simply smiled and said, "The Lord is you strength." I think I had forgotten that!

Watch more How You Live videos on AOL Video

It's been a while since my last post because I have been so busy with school exams. The semester is basically over! I am so excited because as you all know, I will be headed for Ghana in July. (the last week) Despite my dear mother's concern, the "swine flu hype" has not deterred my focus at all. Honestly, I am not really convinced its as bad as its being played out in the media. People really amaze me ...a few hundred people get the flu and thousands are covering their faces with blue masks, but millions of people die from AIDS yet people still refuse to wear condoms.Other news in the U.S. that has grabbed my attention is Oprah Winfrey and KFC. (Kentucky Fried Chicken).
Oprah Winfrey decided to buy dinner for the entire U.S so it seemed. She agreed to promote KFC coupons to the public.Here's how it works: A coupon for a 2 peice meal was made available exclusively through Oprah Winfrey's website, oprah.com. The coupon could be downloaded anytime durina a 24hour period on Wednesday, May 6. The coupons are redeemable through May 19 excluding Mothers' Day.
The coupons entitled the bearer to a free 2 piece grilled chicken meal, with two sides and a biscuit. Now thats really nice of Oprah to do such a thing. But, I am bit disappointed because the people who really need a free dinner most likely wont get it. I'm thinking that perhaps it would have been more thoughtful to feed some of the thousands of homeless people that live in the US. If you really think about it, the average homeless person does not have internet access so there is no way that they could "download" this coupon.Maybe I am being too criticalI realize that this was a nice gesture, but my goodness there are thousands of children in America that go to bed hungry almost everynight. So why in the world would you throw free meals to people who are not starving?Maybe its just me. But in my little mind, this is crazy! Please someone tell me the logic in this...tax break is all I can come up with to justify this. To make matters worse there have been riots and fights over the coupons running out.

"April, oh April"

Some years ago I watched the movie,Sometimes in April.
In April 1994, one of the most heinous genocides in world history began in the African nation of Rwanda. Over the course of 100 days, close to one million people were killed in a terrifying purge by Hutu nationalists against their Tutsi countrymen. The main character describes how the month of April makes him sad because of the cruel evnts that he faced during this month. I am beginning to to dislike the month of April also.
We have a saying, "April showers brings May flowers." Could this mean after all the tears that April has brought us...May will be more promising? I sure hope that May will be more joyous!
Today is the 21st day of April...not been alot of raindrops...only tear drops. Although April brings warmer weather, beautiful scenes of azaleas, daffoldils and roses amongst layers of thick green grass, there is a sadness in the air. Perhaps this sadness is felt from heart to heart because of April. The beginning of April was "okay" for me. But, as we draw close to its end, it seems like bad news and tragic reminders just keep coming.
A co-worker was in a bad vehicle accident. A family friend died in another vehicle accident. (other events have happend which I won't discuss out of respect to those who are bereaving) It's just one thing after the other!

Here is a list of wars that began in April:
The American Revolution (04/18/1775)
The American Civil War (04/1861)
The Bosnian War (04/1992)
The Rwandan Genocide (04/1994)
The Armenian Genocide (04/24/1914)

Other tragic events in April include:
President Abraham Lincoln's assassination (04/14/1865)
The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake 04/18/1906)
The sinking of the RMS Titanic (04/14/1912)
Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination (04/04/1968)
Chernobyl nuclear accident (04/26/1986)
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots after the Rodney King verdict (04/29/1992)
The bloody end to the Branch Davidian siege in Waco, Texas (04/19/1993)
Qana Massacre in Lebanon (04/18/1996)
The Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, Australia (04/28/1996)

April also brings commemorations focusing on those who died and also those who survived the Holocaust are remembered and honored.

Never forget Palm Sunday Tears

A few years ago on Palm Sunday, our Pastor preached a message entitled, “Palm Sunday Tears.” Based on Luke 19:41 (New International Version) 41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. The sermon basically described the sorrow that Jesus felt over the city. This year's sermon was great but I will never forget, "Palm Sunday Tears". It is one of my favorite sermons because of a few reasons. One, it shows us that our Savior, Jesus Christ was human enough to shed tears. He had emotions. He saw something that troubled him and it moved him to tears. We all know that it takes a lot for a man to cry, so I am confident that my Lord was really disturbed by what he saw. Two, Jesus wept over the city because He saw not only something physically that troubled Him but, also he saw something spiritually disturbing. You don't have to be a believer to realize that something is going wrong in this world.
Just being a human being qualifies you. Its not about any religion or faith. It's about people helping other people. I am quite tired of rules and regulations that stop us from helping other people. (race, religion, gender, where you come from, what school you attended! blah blah blah who cares?!)
It is thought that more than one million people are living with HIV in the USA and that more than half a million have died after developing AIDS.
The divorce rate has been climbing in every industrialized country in the world.
According to UN's statistics, 141 million people all over the world take marijuana. This number is equal to 2,5 percent of people living in the world.
The statistics shows that 22-25 million people have already taken cocaine at least one time.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassed only by accidents and homicide
Almost half the world — over 3 billion people — live on less than $2.00 a day.
29,000 children die per day because they have no safe water to drink, lack of medical services, and poverty.
Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. Just too name of few.
“But if we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His Words teaching?”