Saturday, May 17, 2008

If I were to die outside of California and in the absence of loves ones, I would want to hear the following song in the background in my last two minutes alive…

The song speaks to me… I hear it as if I had been alive in the mid-60s… as if my youth ended decades ago. But in reality, it’s simply that the most important events in my life happened while living in California. “All the leaves are brown…”

Friday, December 1, 2006

The paragraph below was inspired by Armando Manzanero’s “Somos Novios.” Which reminds me… I need to update my “About Me” page. 🙂 I’m a year older, and well on my way to being immensely happier.

We are in a relationship now. Filled with purity and sincerity, our endearment has brought forth a mutual understanding, which, in turn, will lead us to accomplish the greatest feat possible in two people’s lives — love. In the meantime, our feelings often drive us mad. And although this madness may at times cause us to become upset with each other for no apparent reason at all, it’s also true that we are always on the lookout for a dark, secluded spot, where all we want to do is kiss without saying a word. All this is so because we’re in a relationship now… and forever.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

On Sunday evening I caught a beautiful song on Cantando Por Un Sueño. (By the way, this is the only time I’ll ever admit to watching this trash of a show — Mexican TV’s answer to “American Idol.”) See if you can figure out what song it is just by reading my English translation of it.

Hint: It’s a song by “Sin Banderas.”

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Monday, May 1, 2006

As I approached my jobsite, I noticed that all hispanic businesses were closed. I felt guilt. It was a moment of solidarity, and I wasn’t being part of it. As I came across students and coworkers, I kept my eyes down. I was ashamed to be at work. I know the plight of the undocumented immigrant… I lived it for more than a decade.

Friday, April 21, 2006

It took the breaking of my heart for me to appreciate “Let It Be.” Sang by The Beatles, “Let It Be” carries a spiritual message that believers and non-believers alike can’t help but embrace. “Let it be” — a three-word sentence that carries so much wisdom.

Speaking of words of wisdom, today I found myself in the right place at the right time. A fifth grade student at the school where I work had his scooter confiscated by an after-school coach because she had seen it being used on campus. The child was playing soccer with me, and he was so focused in the game that he didn’t become aware of what was taking place. As the coach walked away with his scooter, I called him and advised him to catch up to her and calmly let her know that the scooter had been used by other students without his consent. So he did.

A couple of minutes later, I turned my attention away from the soccer game to see if the student had been successful. I caught him walking toward the water fountain — no scooter with him. He didn’t seem upset, so I continued playing soccer. I assumed they had come to a mutual agreement. A bit later, I looked for the child again, and this time he was sitting on a bench next to the water fountain. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s seeing a good child upset. I walked over to him and sat down. I asked him how it all turned out. He said that he had done as I told him, and the coach’s response was, “Doesn’t matter.”

Another person in my place would have considered approaching the coach, and in the presence of the child explain why he should have his scooter back. The after-school coach and I are not fond of each other, but that did not keep me from realizing that going the route described above would have put her in a tough situation because it would seem that I’m undermining her judgment and authority. Instead, I told him to forget about the scooter and continue playing soccer. Before giving him a chance to get up, I added that he would get his scooter no matter what — it would only be a matter of time. I concluded by assuring him that if by after-school Monday he still didn’t have his scooter, I would ask my boss for help. That did the trick. The child got up and played with joy.

When it was almost time for me to come home, I advised him once more. This time I told him to make sure to approach the coach before going home today and kindly ask, “When may I pick up my scooter?”

A few minutes later, prepared to come home and rest, I looked for my wallet and my keys, and to my shock and dismay, only my wallet remained. I asked the nearby students if they saw anyone taking my keys. Only one student actually cared to go beyond answering “no.” He looked over the spot where I usually keep my belongings and walked around with his eyes fixed on the ground, as if looking for something that was actually his. For that brief moment, neither soccer nor his scooter seemed of any importance to him. I was grateful and honored to see that the child was returning to me the amount of attention I had given him minutes before.

I left the playground to ask the coordinator of the after-school staff if anyone had brought my keys to her. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see those keys again, so when I was asked by a child if I had lost my keys, I tried not to get excited. He told me some keys had been found and given to the coordinator. It was not until I held the keys that I felt complete relief. I thanked her and walked away.

In order to get to my car, I had to walk across the playground. From afar I caught my little friend about to exit the school. After it was all said and done, I felt great to know that we would both be getting home the same way we had arrived to school… me in my car, and David on his scooter.

Anyway…. sorry for having gone a bit off-topic. 🙂 Here’s my Spanish translation of “Let It Be”…

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

In the past, I have allowed women to easily rid themselves of me. For the first time in my life I feel signs of a willingness to put up a fight.

Sunday, November 6, 2005

Sunday, October 23, 2005

I feel like buying her flowers and writing the following on the card.

When I think about a woman a lot I become indebted to her because she fills my heart with hope. In an attempt to pay my dues, here are some words for you:

An “I love you” carries no meaning unless it’s born in the soul and nurtured by the heart. If such is the case, on top of being meaningful, said thoughts are sweet, sincere and perduring. As sweet, sincere, and perduring as the thoughts I’ve conceived of you. As such, they are not to vanish as a pebble in the ocean, nor fade away as a result of us growing spatially apart. Neither are they to turn to ashes when put on fire, for the simple fact that they are more ardent than fire itself.

Having said that, I have something to ask: care to become my lover?