My answer.....

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

— Mother Teresa

How The Pied Piper Planked America's Youth.....again

Many can recall The Pied Piper of Hamelin , a children's fairytale about a piper dressed in pied a(multicolored) clothing, leading the children away from the town never to return. .
In the story. the town's children are led astray by a Piper whose melodic melodies causes them to fall under a hypnotic "spell" which leads to their death.











Planking is one the "Pied Pipers" of 2011. Planking refers to the act of lying face down with arms to the sides in unusual public spaces and photographing it to share online. To me,planking is a very painful reminder of a very painful past


According to many, it's just a fun game to play while some call it dangerous. Players of this crazy trend go far and beyond to see who can find the most bizarre place to Plank. The few rules include: The location should also be as public as possible, and as many people as possible should be involved. Some call it dangerous because of the length that people will go to in order to get that "perfect shot" which of course, is worth money.

a>According to news sources, the game was uncovered in September of 2009, when seven doctors and nurses working at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, England were suspended for playing the lying down game while on duty. Sadly, this was not the first time Plankin had made its way to North America. The last time was on slave ships. My ancestors were packed light sardines on wooden planks. I am really not concerned about the controversy that the "media" has ignited. I just think that planking is a bad idea that brings back haunting memories. If that's not good enough reason to throw this silly game out to sea then perhaps the rising number of deaths and injuries that are taking place as a result of Planking will be sufficient. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43036847/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/t/australia-man-plunges-planking-death/

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself
The Optimist Creed

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel like there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living person you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too strong for fear, and to happy to permit the presence of trouble.


- Unknown

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

my poetic verse!

smh.....walking in the store & these young kids just about knocked me down. without even a ounce of respect or apology !! I moved out the way...but my heart began to frown!

&our precious seeds have grown into fruit
& by our fruits shall we be known!

Wasnt the first nor will it be the last time that a young man or young lady has done this . I've never really wanted to punch the wall until they did it in front of my 77year old Aunt. I was taking her on her errands., like I usually do. I tried to get her to walk a little faster to avoid the show . As we passed the group of young ladies who were "twirking" my head dropped in shame.

"I'm sorry about that," I said.......(the air was so thick as we both just stared aat each other...as if we understood each other's pain)

"Dont worry about that dear, I've seen it before", as she tried to make me feel better Ifaked a smile all the while escorting through the door.

&our precious seeds have grown into fruit
& by our fruits shall we be known!

smh.......Its a sad day when we don't respect our elders....
even sadder is this day because we dont respect ourselves.
How can lil KiKi know she's a Queen!
When she heard your late night special coming through

and you dont even care that she has to be up early for school?

& this clown even called you a...
Sister, that's not your name!
so why did u answer?
passing deadly behaviors that slowly eat
like cancer

But, I aint even mad...offended but, not mad...
cause everybody blames the kids for their rude behavior,
diaper mouths, low test scores, and self destruction....
I'm not buying it!!!! I blame the mothers!

& our precious seeds have grown into fruit
& by our fruits shall we be known!

smh.... because of the shame on us!
This aint the 70s, 80s or 90s....
you, are most likely someone's role model.
YOU, my dear are the parent!
The loving Auntie!
The favorite teacher!
She never read the bible but your life is her long winded preacher


I just wish a few good women would stand up
and do another examination

our daughters are suffering from spiritual blindness
and you still on vacation????!!!pahllllllease!

write her a perscription YOU!
just became the doctor
and your on call....
save ur daughter, save yourself
inject her self esteem with love & value
for optimal health
last race for a cure, there are no remedials
here comes self respect, thats gonna take
with a big scary needle
why not heal her?

who cares about your Coach! which is another joke!
why are you so worried about that the latest from Dolce Gabana?
when your precious seeds are dying
somebody's daughter is in need of a good momma


We are the parents! guess who's the favorite teachers?

&our precious seeds have grown into fruit
& by our fruits shall we be known!


smh! (taking a deep breath) because I'm so mad!
When are we (grown folks) gonna turn off the Travis Porter, Nicki Manaj
start raising these girls
teaching & inspiring them
to love themselves, others & God!

When do we love enough to dismantle the self destructive stem that is choking the "life" out of them?

when do we silence the bad role models and their filthy degrading lyrics
any thing Minaj put out & everybody & their momma's rushing to hear it?


&our precious seeds have grown into fruit
& by our fruits shall we be known!

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.

has it really been two years?

waooooo!!!! 2 years went by really fast!From looking at my last post, it has been two years since my last entry. I thought about starting an entirely new blog but, that would be a waste of time. A lot has changed in two years, thankfully for the better. I have had many joys and sorrows. I have gained new friends and said good bye to a few old ones whom the Lord called home. Accomplished SOME of my educational goals and still work at the other ones. But, all in all I am still here. Still determined to make a difference in the lives that I encounter. Still serving others and being humbled by the fact that God would trust me with such a task. Just as it was in 2009, I created this blog for myself and others who would like to take advantage of my transparency. So, I will pick up where I left off. Share with you, while reminding myself what my purpose is. Thanks to all who have stayed on board & remained followers "Just an Utter". Let's finish the conversation, shall we?