A Slice of Life

Working on myself. Life has been a rollercoaster of emotions, as it has been for most people around the world. I’m grateful for the blessings I’ve been given and also I am putting into the universe what I want out of life. Change is inevitable, whether it be personally or professionally, etc. trying to go with the flow and put positivity out into the world. I’m starting by trying to be positive about my own image. I don’t like the way I look most of the time but today, I felt good. So I’m rolling with it. Happy Saturday! #selflove #changeisgood #positivevibes #feltcutemightdeletelater https://www.instagram.com/p/CWOkLYCvmPZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

So a day like today, but last year our little quarantine puppy was born; Bert Van Dyke. Today, we got to celebrate his first birthday as a family. Oliver was not a fan of him getting all the attention, but they all enjoyed the birthday cookie and the treat filled piñata. Happy Birthday, Baby Bert! #happybirthday #dachshundsofinstagram #piebalddappledachshund #dogoftheday #dogsofinstagram #wienerdogsofinstagram #wienerseatingwieners (at Santa Clarita, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/COegigXgBuj/?igshid=o3oa9loa0dy0

The show can—and will—go on! Join me, and take the #PlaybillPledge to share your support for the performing arts: https://pledge.playbill.com https://www.instagram.com/p/COW-KoVg16b/?igshid=15tnbjj4jt31l

Wishing you a very happy holiday season from our home to yours. This year was definitely far from normal, but we are hopeful that better days are ahead. We send positivity and blessings into the universe in the hope for a better and beautiful tomorrow! Sending love, blessings, and wishes of a healthy tomorrow, Nicole, and I, and our beautiful pups Oliver Franklin, Liliann Belle, and Bert Van Dyke. (at Santa Clarita, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJPfhIcA6UV/?igshid=1e5cs9rj6o2wc

Today, I got to start a new chapter in my life. After 4 years of working hard at Assurance Learning Academy in Pacoima, I came to the realization that I had done what I could there and that it was time to move on. I am still with Learn4Life, but I get this wonderful opportunity to serve EL (English Learner) students in Palmdale. English learners have always held a very special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to this new adventure and for the opportunity to continue to help students reach their true potential, and be a part of their journey to help them change their story. It’s been quite a ride teaching... From La Mesa LOBOS, to Bloomfield BULLS. From Mission View STALLIONS to Assurance PIONEERS. Today, I am an Antelope Valley Academy TRAILBLAZER! #newstart #newschoolwhodis? #learn4life #teaching #highschool #newchapter #palmdale #avla #feelinggood #teachinginthetimeofcorona (at Palmdale, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHt2h_VgY-s/?igshid=170g9ja6v1ua5

Today, Monday, November 2nd is Día de Los Muertos in México. So as is tradition we made an Altar de Muertos or Ofrenda. We have pictures of our loved ones. Things they enjoyed in life like sweets, coffee, tamales, water, Coca Cola and Tequila. Today is the day their souls get to return to the land of the living and know they are not forgotten. To the souls of those we have lost and that we miss deeply. May you Rest In Peace and and May you some day wake and enjoy life everlasting. Hoy, lunes 2 de Noviembre es Día de Los Muertos en México. Así que como es la tradición hicimos un altar de muertos y una ofrenda. Tenemos fotos de nuestros seres queridos. Cosas que ellos gozaron en vida como dulces, café, tamales, agua, Coca Cola, y Tequila. Hoy es el día que sus almas regresan a la tierra y ven que aún no son olvidados. Esto es para las almas que hemos perdido y que extrañamos demasiadamente. Que descansen en paz y que algún día despierten y gocen de la vida eterna. #diadelosmuertos #dayofthedead #ofrendasmexicanas #altardemuertos #mexicantraditions #allsoulsday #restinpower #rememberme #missyoueveryday #familyiseverything (at Santa Clarita, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHFOoWzghae/?igshid=f8opowig55t8

Didn’t get many trick-or-treaters but it was a fun night nonetheless. Candy. Disney Halloween Classics on the projector. Sushi dinner under the stars lit by jack o’ lanterns. Candy in bags. Social distancing. Hand sanitizer for days. The makings of a COVID Halloween. Happy Halloween 🎃! #COVIDHalloween #sanitizeeverything #halloween #disneypumpkins #dachshundsofinstagram #shihtzusofinstagram #plaguedoctormask #2020 (at Santa Clarita, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHCZuTCAGo3/?igshid=pdzq0ben6e9w

The dodgers won the World Series 9 days after I was born in 1988. Today, 32 years later, they win again. Thanks to the Sinaloense, Julio Urías!!! Si se pudo, Doyers!!!!! #losdoyers #worldchampions #ladodgers⚾️ #sisepudo #juliourias #7 #mexicanpride #2020worldseries #partylikeits1988⚾️💙 #dodgersbaseball https://www.instagram.com/p/CG380hqgceY/?igshid=1ej61n1pcfb2p

Migraines aren’t great. Self-care is important. There is so much going on in the world, and bottom line people are not being kind to each other. I need to recharge and I need to reframe my thinking. I’m taking this migraine as my body’s way of saying STOP, take a break. So I’m doing just that. Taking a physical and mental break today, however, I’m taking a mental break from social media for the rest of the week (or until further notice). Loggin’ off peeps. If you need me text me. #selfcare #migrainessuck #loggingoff #socialdistancingfromsocialmedia #goingdark #bekindtoyourself #bekindtooneanother https://www.instagram.com/p/CC80a9vAmR-/?igshid=13gukclfozczj

Tuesday, June 9th, 2020. A day like today, but in 1934, the ORIGINAL Angry Bird made its debut in “The Wise Little Hen.” Today, Donald Duck turns 86. If you know me, you know he’s my ultimate favorite Disney character. Happy Birthday to my main duck. Happy birthday, Donald Duck! You’re #1! #donaldduck #disney #happybirthday #thewiselittlehen1934 #1934 #86yearsyoung #theoriginalangrybird #day161 #day161of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CBPdHqcg-Y3/?igshid=34na3mmr3ubh

Monday, June 1st, 2020. Enough is enough. Taking a day off social media. Do your part. Speak up. #blackouttuesday #2020 #georgefloyd #blacklivesmatter #besafeoutthere #day153 #day153of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CA61jLEgjB7/?igshid=a67oj9j0h5ht

Saturday, May 30th, 2020. When 2020 started, I wanted to chronicle my year. The ups and downs. The good stuff. The not so good stuff. For me social media was a way to unwind. Now, as May is coming to an end there has been so much that had happened in this country and the World over the last 5 months. All I see is pain. I think Will Smith said it best; “ Racism is not getting worse. It is getting filmed.” I see people being falsely accused. I see 911 being used as a weapon against minorities. I see police officers blindly drawing their guns no questions asked. I see brutality. I see violence incited on both ends. HOWEVER, if someone is playing the blame game, saying violence is not the point, or looting and rioting is wrong, YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT. First, if you are not a minority that has faced some sort of disadvantage, prejudice, or anything of the sort JUST BECAUSE of the color of your skin, the language you speak, your creed, orientation, etc. You just wouldn’t understand. If you are lucky to be privileged enough that you don’t have to watch your back in this country, use that privilege to question, support your fellow HUMAN BEING. I am tired. I am sick. I am in pain. But what pains me the most, what sickens me the most is that among all this turmoil, among this civil unrest, this world-wide pandemic, our administration, specifically our President felt an Executive Order on social media over fact checking was the priority. If you don’t see that as a problem, or see calling protesters “THUGS” or promoting someone that says “the only good democrat is a dead democrat,” then you are part of the problem. This is not a bipartisan problem. This is not liberal or conservative problem. This is a humanity problem. We need to put our political views aside and lookout for our fellow man. If you have read this far, and you feel differently, you are entitled to your opinion, however I may lose respect for you, or it may be time for us to part ways. I pray for the well-being of my brothers and sisters out there protesting. I pray for the safety of everyone around the protests. #enoughisenough #icantbreathe #alllivesmatter #beahumanbeing #tired #angry #day151of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CA1iTS_AgmM/?igshid=1gx245l2v008a

Thursday, May 28th, 2020. It has been a very rough week. Personally, Professionally, as an American, as a human being in this earth. There’s a lot of pain. There’s a lot of hurt. I am overwhelmed. However, I am choosing to count my blessings rather than my troubles tonight: I am safe at home. My family is okay. I ate today. My WiFi didn’t crap on me while working today. I helped students complete their work online. I am breathing. I have a cozy bed to sleep in tonight. I have a wife and a lazy pup to share that bed with. And if you’re still reading this, I have you in my life. All those things and many more are my blessings. Sending love, positivity, and a prayer your way! Good night. #blessings #countyourblessings #havefaith #dontlosehope #roughday #roughweek #roughmonth #roughyear #sendingloveyourway #day149 #day149of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAwxaOVgdBg/?igshid=17oonapbq6a8z

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020. Today was a very important day at work for our center. We had our first center graduate since we went into Distance Learning. It is @learn4life practice to ring a bell when a student graduates. One of our students got to hear those bells today. Our staff, the student, and his family all joined in a zoom call and we got to celebrate this moment with him and ring those bells. It was a great moment and I am grateful and feel very fortunate I got to be a part of that moment. #movingforward #distancelearning #learn4life #ringthosebells #lovemyjob #studentsuccess #classof2020 #day148 #day148of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAuM5JNg795/?igshid=q62rzowjq8vd

Tuesday, May 26th, 2020. So this weekend @coupygirl and I decided it was time to tackle a huge project; Our garage. We made a big push this weekend and we are doing a little work each day after work. We’ll post an AFTER picture when done. NOT posting a before... we’re afraid sharing a before picture would make us perfect candidates for the show HOARDERS. Now, I’m off to bed, it was a tiring day! #quarantinelife #quarantineprojects #tired #day147 #day147of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CArni97gMNb/?igshid=rk97lo6480qz

Monday, May 25th, 2020. Not much to report. Just some Walt Disney Quotes I thought I’d share. Have a magical day! #waltdisney #missingdisneyland #inspiration #waltdisneyquotes #day146 #day146of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CApDzksgQtB/?igshid=nko0tb7ohvk6

Sunday, May24th, 2020. So this beard of mine was getting unruly. Not to mention that it was getting hard to breathe while wearing a mask when going out to the mailbox or grocery shopping. So I did a thing. Chopped it all off. But of course I had to do different looks. I do have to say my favorite was the 3rd where I look like Chester A. Arthur. Which is your favorite? Face is so cold right now. 😂 #quarantinelife #quarantinebeardbyebye #babyface #socold #2020beard #chesteraarthur #handlebarmustache #gomezmustache #day145 #day145of366 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAmHsZ6ADqO/?igshid=7mbk6p1zvb2a