Hello

It's been a while since I posted anything.  After the last post, I have been extremely busy at work and have not had a chance to get online and do what I like.  It's been crazy at work.  I had some great things going on with the yearbook at school (which I sponsor and create) and then the activities that I do for the kids.  Cinco de Mayo was paired with Teacher Appreciation this year.  I did a week long activity with the school.  It was great.  Interestingly enough one of my really good friends was being investigated for something minimal that was blown out of proportion.  It made me rethink some stuff about the world for just a few minutes until I realized (yet again) that God has a plan for us all.  He puts us in our certain paths for a reason.

My life has been going really good.  I mean I live with some friends that I love, but I really want my own space so I will be looking into getting an apartment by myself soon.  I just need my space, my privacy, my own.  I need to start baking again.  I miss it.  I know that I could bake here, but I really don't like to impose on other people's stuff even though I am told to not worry about it...

My family is doing okay, we got together for Mother's day at mom's and BBQ'd.  Got to see my mom and sisters.  I hope all is going well for everyone.

Will write more later...

Family Fun

Well it's been a long while since I last posted, but my living arrangements leave me with lil time and privacy to do what I need to do.  I am very grateful and appreciative to my friends that have taken me in, but I am ready to have my own space again.

Well this is Easter weekend and I am here in Austin (okay Round Rock and Pfluegerville) with my family enjoying the nice weather and great hospitality of my big sis and her family and that of my niece and her family as well.  They are super great for letting me and my lil sis and two of her boys stay with them.

Things have been great at work and with family.  It's really great when everybody gets along and understands the value of family. 

It is kinda strange to me how the strong wills and "say what you feel" personalities of my family don't extend themselves to each other.  When we have something to say that we think may hurt someones feelings, we don't say anything.  Rather choosing to talk behind their backs and getting frustrated with behaviors and attitudes.  I have that problem sometimes also. 

I think it's crazy that with everything that has gone on, we still haven't gotten everything out in the open.  Why can't we sit down and discuss our feelings about everything that happen and just hatch things out.  Yes I agree not everyone will be happy about the words or expressions used, but I strongly believe that getting it out there will make everyone feel better. 

I suggest a family meeting with the adults (adult nieces and nephews also) with a mediator to help control the room.  Nothing physical or anything like that, just a healthy discussion of how we all feel. 

We are all adults and have a VOICE so why not use it.

Tell me what you all think and let's set it up...

I love you all and I think it's high time we because ADULTS!!!

Concerned

I don't really know how often if at all my family reads this blog.  All I know is that I come in here and write what and when I can.  They are my feelings and thoughts that I share and lately I'm a little blocked.

There is some major hurt feelings and bad blood being thrown around these days.  Things done can't be undone and we forget what family means.

The ones that are constantly telling me that I don't think of family on a daily basis are doing everything they can to break up what they constantly fight for.

Our mom and dad were together for 50 years.  They didn't always get along.  They didn't always agree.  Heck I remember some pretty serious fights while growing up.  They did however stick together through the thick and thin.  They were there for each other and for us. I feel the least we could do is prove to them that we can do the same.

It is said that a friend may come and go, but a family member is always there.  I love my family very much.  I try to stay neutral when it comes to fights and such, but this last episode of, "no you didn't," has gone way too far.  I am really sad because I don't know what to do.  

I love you guys so very much.  We are all we have, please figure out how to apologize and make up.   

Odds

Lately I have been working non stop because it is college tour time for my kids.  I go to work on Monday after a great trip this weekend to College Station, only to get a twist on my plans for the upcoming trip to Austin.  I am told that the school may have to charter buses rather than have us use school buses.  Now this may not seem like a big dramatic turn of events, but you gotta understand.  My entire program there at West Oso Jr High is about organization, structure, and caring for the kids.  The other groups going haven't a clue what it takes to put together these trips.

You guys know me, I am always the take charge kind of guy, but when forced to be a "team player," I tend to go straight into, "I am your boss," mode.  I know it's a little self centered, but hey I am 43 yrs old and have worked hard to get where I am and absolutely love my job and the kids I work for.  I don't want someone coming along at the last minute to screw that up.

Anywho, my kids deserve a charter bus in whatever kind of package it comes in so I will suck it up and march into that meeting tomorrow and do what I do best.  Ham it up and take charge.  

Those teachers won't know what hit them... Let's face it, they love me for it.

College Tours

Well the time has come again when I take students to visit colleges.  Every year the colleges start recruiting and talking to students younger and younger.  I talk to my kids about the importance of a great education and what going to college can do for them.  I take them on two different tours.  I take my 8th graders to Texas A&M in College Station and I also take them to University of Texas in Austin.  They enjoy the trip, and I enjoy seeing their faces as they look in awe of the campus and what it has to offer.

Most of my students come from Economically Disadvantaged homes where the only future they see is working a mediocre job and or goverment assistance.  I know that's harsh, but it's what they see and are used to.  I am not dogging assistance, because I think it's an important asset in our country, but when given the opportunity to better your life, one should take advantage...

These trips show my kids that there is a bigger brighter future out there for them and they see that.  It doesn't mean that they have to go to these colleges, but it gives them an opportunity to see the possibilities are endless.

I love my job and I especially love this part where I can see young minds at work...

Valentine's Day

So today is Valentine's Day.  A day where love is in there air and nice things tend to happen. 

As usual, I get to spend the day with my favorite girl (my mom).  I bought a few trinkets and took her out to eat.  My brother Robert came up from the valley and joined us for dinner.  It's funny you don't see someone for a long time and you forget how much you miss them.  My family means a lot to me and I miss them when I don't see them all the time.  My brother is no exception.  And regardless if he is my older brother, I still worry about him and hope and pray that all is well with him.

We went to eat at a Chinese restaurant and when the fortune cookies came, I got mine and read the fortune.  I like to see how relevant they are to what things are going on in my life today.  This cookie fortune read, "The principle part of faith is patience."  How true is that.  Just today I was talking to my friend about getting reacquainted with the church.  The "forwards" I get either through email or text that say, "If you don't believe in God, just delete this" are offensive to me.  I do believe in God and I don't believe that whether or not you send a text and/or email to 10 friends determines your faith.

I also believe that when you pray to God for forgiveness, health, fortune or anything else, you need a lot of patience.  You can't expect for things to happen at the snap of your fingers.  God doesn't work like that.  I strongly believe that.

I try to teach my students the same concept of patience.  I let them know that the easier something is, the worse it usually is for you.  I tell them that something that takes a lot of work and commitment are the things in life that are the most rewarding and best for you, cause you know you worked hard to get them.

So my dear family, my thoughts and prayers are all with you this fine evening.  I wish and pray for nothing but the best for each and everyone of you.  I love each of you.  

Take care and keep in touch.

WOW

Hello wonderful family and friends.  Sorry it's taken a while to write, but I have been out of pocket due to my unfortunate homelessness... LOL.  Don't you worry, I did land on my feet.  A wonderful friend that I have known forever came to my rescue and we are working on getting a place together.  This will save us on money and probably get us a bigger place... 

So, other than that, things have been going pretty good a work and everywhere else in my life.  I hope each and everyone of you is doing great also.  Take care and keep in touch.

don't worry be happy

Hey Joe,

Don't fret brother we Garcia's always land on our feet. I am sure you will make a comfy home where ever you are. I am here to back you up no matter what..(unless it's money then call Fernando). Love, MaryAnn

Time

To my Uncle Joe,

I am glad that you created the blog account. It's great that you are able to communicate about how your famliy is doing. I hope that everyone is well. I know that the family doesn't hear much from me often, so I just wanted to let you all that my family is doing fine.

CG

To have a home or not to have a home...

Dear Aneeda:

Things have been pretty crazy lately.  I got a notice on my door from a Realty Company saying that my landlord was being forclosed upon and I had to consider moving... I am really confused cause I don't know what to do... I have been living here for only a short time.  Should I move?  Should I stay?  Should I live under a bridge with a sign?  Please help me...

Sincerely,

Depressed and Maybe Homeless

Dearest Homeless:

So there I was... enjoying my morning pastry with a lovely cup of soothing camomile tea when I decided that I really should get to work.  The first letter I pick up is this one.  Imagine my serene,  albeit tea and pastry induced disposition,  being suddenly ripped into a thousand pieces by a blah blah blahing letter such as this... I know, I know, I should be more soothing, caring, understanding... etc. etc. etc... but you see my dear reader... I really don't care... so there... what have you to say now...  My advise is simply this... Get over it, find another place, and stop blahing!!! 

Sincerely

The fabulous Aneeda!!!

PS:  hope that helped!   

This week on "Dear Aneeda", I hear about a frustration, loneliness, loveless relationships, people leaving and others being annoying, but enough about my life and let's get on with it.

Dear Aneeda:

I live with my boyfriend and he just bought me a car. I should be happy, but he says that I have to start working to pay the car and insurance. And here I thought is was a gift. I am confused because I cook, clean, take care of HIS son and make sure he is up and ready for school everyday and then be a good girlfriend and start the day all over again. Should I confront him or just keep quite and get a job?

Sincerely,

Lips are Sealed!

Dear Lips:

In my day a lady never caused any discord in the home by confronting the man. She was a good housekeeper, baker, seamstress, took care of the kids and her husband. She was the very image of June Cleaver and never once questioned her man's motives or suggestions. But that was then and this is now. I say be strong and say something. If it was a gift then that is what it should be and not a calling card to bring up the fact that you have no job and don't really do anything around the house, call you names and are lousy in bed... wait that's my relationship... Ooooopppss.

Sorry honey what was your question? Oh well, till next time my dear readers. We'll talk to others and try to solve their problems. If you would like to ask Ms Aneeda a question please do... I will do everything I can to help.

Aneeda Mann

Anita was a character that I developed to help me deal with ongoing issues in the family as they arise. Using this character, I am able to put a positive and comical spin on an otherwise unfriendly situation. Instead of confontations, I use this medium to allow the reader to take what they can from the situation. It's a "Dear Abby" homage that I have alot of fun with.

In the coming posts, I will be putting some of these "Letters to Aneeda" on here so you can see what I mean. Hope you like. Please let me know.

WOW!

I have a friendly demeanor. Pretty much have all my life. My problem is that I let things build up and then become so frustrated that my encounters get a little heated. Maybe I get that from my Dad. He seemed so laid back until you pushed him too far then you really got it.

I have been having some issues with my neighbor who lives in the Garage Apt in the back of my duplex. She is a nice lady, too nice from what I came to know. She has friends stay over ALOT and when they are here, they use the drive way to park leaving me to park in the street. I have tried to deal with it and just thought, "well I could use the walk so no big deal". Then I would park in the drive way and I would get these notes not to do that. Then a note on the fence telling "strangers" not to park in the driveway cause it was parking for TENANTS ONLY and shouldn't be blocked. Well, I let that go then I had enough. Today I go down there because I see her friend is parked behind me in the driveway and I can't get out. Frustrated I let her know what I thought of her messages on my window and on the fence. I told her that I would just take it up with the landlord who knows nothing of her visitors.

Am I am _ _ _ hole? I pray that I can just deal with things as they come and not let them get to me. Was this about the parking or am I harboring other feelings inside? Oh, well it's back to therapy I guess. LOL

Family News

Thanks to big brother Fernando, I wanted to share what's going on with his family:

Grandson Mathew's Bday was on the 19th of February and they will be having a party for him on the 30th.

Sister in Law Mary will be going for visit in New York soon.

Brother Fern will be heading to Oklahoma to enjoy the open road and have some fun.

Son Cerrone had his 4 wisdom teeth removed this month and is doing good.

Thank you very much Fern for updating us on your family. Hope all is well and you are too. Take care big brother and God Bless You and your Family on their daily adventures as well as the ones that take them far away.

Monday

It's Monday and yes I have the day off, but I can't help but wonder what would I be doing if I was at work. Whenever I am off, I miss it. Don't get me wrong I love my time off, but I wonder if the students that I work with are getting everything they need; food, shelter, love, guidance... It's hard to imagine some of them getting the attention they deserve.

As a child I never really new anything about not having, cause my parents made sure that we had what we needed always. I look at families now and wonder how is it they are surviving on little income and a small house with two parents and lots of kids. Then I think back when I was a kid and think, "We lived in a two bedroom house with all us kids at one time." I don't remember being crowded. I remember having fun because there were more siblings to bother, to play with, and just plain have fun.

I don't remember ever thinking that we were poor cause I remember Dad always said, "Your mom and me will give you what you need, but if there is something that you want, then you have to work for that." When I was little I didn't understand, but as I grew older I got it. Needs and wants are two totally different things. We need food, clothes, shelter and love. We got what we needed. If we wanted different things (IE, games, name brand clothes, toys etc.) well we just worked for them.

I look back on those times and it doesn't seem strange at all that at an early age I started working. Mowing lawns, picking cucumbers in a field, whatever it took to get some money in my pocket. It was great and as a kid you don't have complaints, you just have fun. It's different today. Kids today expect everything handed to them. Allot of kids don't know the value of money. How to get it, use it, keep it, etc.

I try to teach the students I work with about the value of a dollar. I try to teach them that things in life are not free even if there is a sign that says, "FREE". There is always something you have to do to earn everything you want.

I miss those days when I was a kid and had no worries. Well I did worry which superhero I was gonna pretend to be when I was playing outside by myself. LOL. But other than that I had fun. I sometimes wish we had the technology to time travel. I wanna see me as a kid and tell me to keep having fun, keep doing as your parents tell you, keep going to church and keep saying ma'am and sir. It helped me allot.

I thank my parents a great deal, even if I didn't say it allot, for everything they gave me as a kid and as an adult.

Christmas @ Mom's

Family got together at mom's for a little Christmas Celebration. Had a great time, but we missed some family members that couldn't make it.

We had a great time. It was fun watching the kids open presents and the adults had some fun also with the White Elephant gift exchange...

We got together at Mom's to help Sandra celebrate her birthday. Made a cake and had a nice time hanging out and talking... Okay gossiping... LOL