Saturday, January 29, 2011

Day 2: Healing Update…

Day two is upon me for the healing process of my two teeth extraction.  In my blog post below, you notice I had my wisdom and one other tooth out.  I can honestly say I have been pain free which I’m very blessed.  I never imagine it being this way.  Everybody has told me to be prepared and etc.  I only took a pain pill last night as I was going to bed because I was so sure I would wake up with pain.  But I didn’t this morning.  I did start my salt water treatment as well this morning.  The little bit of swollen I had on my face from yesterday is all gone.  So far, everything is gong great.  I couldn’t ask for anything better.  Keep sending the prays my way.

TL

Friday, January 28, 2011

It’s over with for now…

Well, I just got back from the dentist where I got two teeth pulled.  One was a wisdom and the other one was a molder.  Now the healing and pain process starts.  The extraction was fast and without any problems according to the dentist.  I got my pain meds and now I’m home resting for the next few days.  Today only I can have water only and then tomorrow I start with warm salt water three times a day.  So, keep praying for me.

TL

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Let’s Talk Football…

First, let’s talk about the Super Bowl matchup between Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers?  Who are you for and why?  Green Bay started off strong against the Chicago Bears in their NFC Championship game.  But I think they thought they had this game and they let up to allow the Bears back in the game.  But in the end, the defense helped them seal the victory.  As for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game, the New York Jets woke up in the 2nd half and actually made a game of it.  Only if the New York Jets scored that touchdown rather than getting stopped by the Steelers on that goal line stance?  We could be seeing a different outcome in that game?  But man, what about the Steelers on that 3rd and long at the end of the game?  I was 99.99% sure they were going to run it and then punt it away.  WOW!!  All I can say.

Now it’s Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers?  Who you going to pick?  As for me, I originally thought it would be New England Patriots playing the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl with New England Patriots winning it all.  But since only one of my team I picked is in the Super Bowl, I’m going with Green Bay Packers, baby!!!!!  The Steelers can’t win the Super Bowl because this is the Dallas Cowboys home field.  Last thing us Cowboys fans want is our rival Steelers winning on our home turf but yet another Super Bowl.  The Dallas Cowboys is America’s Team!  Right Cowboys fans?

A little hometown sports talk for those diehard Cincinnati “Who Dey…Who Dey…think will beat those” Bengals, which is everybody apparently, that loud cheering that everybody in the world heard was from fans that learned that Carson Palmer is supposedly going to be asking the Bengals for a trade or he will retire.  I know the fans haven’t been happy with Carson over the last few years but some changes have to be made.  But my questions to the Bengals fans is who is going to be the next quarterback?  Cincinnati really haven’t been developing a quarterback over these few years.  JT O’Sullivan isn’t Carson Palmer and Carson’s brother isn’t really, well let’s face it, Carson or JT combine.  The Bengals do have the 4th pick of the draft though?  Could they draft a Cam Newton or the Bengals next franchise quarterback?  If they do and I’m Mike Brown I would think about keeping Carson and draft a quarterback to develop the quarterback to take the team over.  Oh yeah, that means firing their offensive coordinator rather than trading Palmer.  Also, Childress isn’t the answer either there.  So, Bengals fans, what’s your thought?

TL

Friday, January 21, 2011

Dentist Update…

It’s basically 9:55 am on Friday, 1/21/11, and I was getting ready for my dentist appointment when they called me like 15 minutes ago to let me know that the dentist wasn’t available and they needed to reschedule my appointment.  Throwing my whole day up into air.  But the extraction is still on but for next Friday, 1/28/11, now at 11:30 am.  So, another whole week to get used to the idea.  But now I don’t know what to do.  Should I go to work at the Brighton Center or should I go downtown Cincinnati to find my AmeriCorps co-workers where we are supposed to be doing training all day?  Right now I’m going to go to the Brighton Center where they are very short handed and could use my assistance unless my AmeriCorps people call me and tell me otherwise.

TL

It’s Here…Pray for me…

The time has almost arrived but it’s approaching fast.  In less than 13 hours, I’ll be coming back from the dentist office with two of my teeth pulled.  As many of you all know, last week I had some very bad pain that kept me from sleeping and/or sitting down.  The pain at times were so unbearable that I had to get up and walk like crazy.  Walking was the only thing that stopped the pain.  So, finally broke down last Friday and went to the dentist office.  I had a very nasty infection that they had to clear up first before they could pull out the wisdom tooth and one other tooth.  They set up the following Friday, which is today, to come back and get them pulled.  And guess what?  That day has arrived…

I’ll be crazy to say that I’m not nervous because I’m really nervous.  So, please pray for me that everything goes alright and heals correctly.  Many things can go wrong but in the long run this is the right move right now.  One of my concerns is that this is the first pulling of teeth out since I have been diagnosed with diabetes.  How will my diabetes effect the healing process?  I’m just worry something will go wrong.  But all I can do is leave it up to the big guy upstairs.  It’s in his hands now.  Over this weekend I’ll keep you updated when I’m feeling better and etc.  See everybody on the flip side and talk to you all later.  Time for a good night rest.

TL

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Year 2011: Preview…

So, what does the year 2011 have installed for me?  As I’m sitting here in somewhat of pain from my tooth ache, the first thing I have coming up is pulling of a wisdom and one other tooth on January 21.  You know I’m looking forward for that.  NOT!!!!!!!!  Here are some things that should be coming up this year.  Of course not in any particular order.

1)  Car – last year I saved up my $2000 and this year Brighton Center should be release their part of the deal to me soon.  So, I’m kind of looking for me getting a car around the end of February or beginning of March.

2)  Possibly moving – Even though it’s not far but I’m looking to move into a two bedroom apartment here where I’m already staying.  If I can talk the landlord into the right lease and deal.  I’ll basically be moving next door where my neighbor/good friend moved out.  I’m going to talk to the landlord this week coming up.

3)  Vacation – for the first time in years, I’m looking to take a vacation.  Right now it’s scheduled for May 16 thru May 20, 2011.  In this week, sits my birthday.  Usually I just take my birthday day off but decided to do the whole week because I get a paid vacation from work.  Where I’m going is still up in the air.  Not quite sure yet or I might just stay home?

4)  AmeriCorps – My service year ends in September.  I do want to do another year of AmeriCorps but it has to be like a promotion for me.  So, if I don’t get hired somewhere, I’m planning on doing another year of AmeriCorps. I’m allowed up to four years of service.

5)  My Health – This is always on my agenda every year.  I need to start regulating my diabetes and monitoring my health better this year.  I really can’t afford these medical bills.  So, need to find a way to make myself more healthier.

6)  Visiting my mom – My mom wants me to come down soon to help her setup and transfer files from her old computer to her new computer.  That will probably be my first long trip shortly after getting the car.

7)  Computers – Maybe during this year, I can get some of my other computers back up and running.  So that I can either sell them or put them to use like I planned on using them in the first place.  Plus, I would like to create my own computer case from the plexi-glass that I’ve been saving for years.  Basically I have ideas with each of these computers I got.  For example, I want one computer to hold nothing but my music, movies, and videos files.  Another computer I want to turn into a server so that I can learn how to run a server.  I really have somewhat gotten away from this field.  I need to get back into technology.  It’s what my Master degree is in.

8)  Photography – I want to get back into photography.  This is something I have kind of gotten away from over the last few years.  But every time I hold a camera in my hand, I feel the happiness and my senses coming back to me.  So, one of my computers will be a photography editing computer.  But first I will need to save up for a Cannon Digital SLR during this year.

9)  2nd Job – Since I’m able to get a 2nd job this year, I might just do this to help with paying some of my bills, to save for that digital camera, and help fix my computers.  There is one particular job I wouldn’t mind working and that’s at a movie theatre.  So, I might apply for part time at one near by?

10)  Blog more – Something I want to do more of is blog.  I have a unique life that I can share my experiences with people.  Only if they come and leave comments and etc.  I know I might not be the best writer in the world but I have all kinds of information that it’s not funny and I want to share it.

So, if anybody wants to help me achieve any of my goals, please feel free to contact me.  I’m not always looking for money.  I’m also looking for a mentor in photography, computers, and in life.  I always wanted a mentor but never really got one.  I’m always needing guidance in something.  I’m a great person to be around and etc.

TL

Saturday, January 15, 2011

2010: A Year In Review…

This was my first full year of being re-housed since I’ve been homeless.  Even though I was re-housed the last month of 2009, I was able to stay in the same place all year in 2010.  It started out rough for me as I had to get used to the idea that I had a place over my head.  But it didn’t take long before other feelings started to come back to me.  For example, the feeling of loneliness of when I came home from work every day.  But that was remedy later on in the year as I got a roommate.  Even though it’s different, have a friend to talk to is always a plus.  More about him later on in this post.  Year 2010 saw me grow as a person.  I think many of my friends would agree with me.  Even some of them think that being homeless was probably the best thing that happen to me.  Even though I understand where they are coming from, I would have to disagree.  Because I wouldn’t wish being homeless on anybody.  Being homeless is a totally different ball game.  But for me it did something though.  It kicked my determination into high gear.  Want to get motivated, become homeless?  So, what did the year 2010 have for me?  Well, let me tell you.

First, it was AmeriCorps.  Being an AmeriCorps member has did a lot.  I met more people that either are or were in a similar position like I was.  These are people that really are their selves.  No playing game or anything.  The sit down with you and they listen.  They don’t act to be your friends, they are your friends.

Just AmeriCorps alone has done more for me in 2010 than I probably could for myself.  Besides friends, I started job training.  The more I work as an AmeriCorps member, the more on the job training experience I get.  It has helped me update my resume for my job career.  Until September 15, 2010, I was a VISTA member and then switched over to LISC AmeriCorps for this last three months of 2010 where I am currently.   The switch from VISTA to LISC is actually a promotion.  It was more money but more responsibility came with the job.  Also, I’m impacting family lives in my current position.  But don’t get me wrong, as VISTA I was still impacting family lives but only behind the scenes.  For example, it was all about making a method of a program that’s already in place and make it better.  So another words, make it run smoother.  Which I did.  One of the projects took off big times and that was my housing packet.  This packet went out to over 4500 people within the community.  Now, as a LISC worker, I’m impacting family’s lives as I’m working directly with them.  I’m able to give people what they need.  It’s been amazing so for.  I can only imagine what 2011 will hold for me in this area.

Brighton Center is an amazing place.  To have this opportunity to work for them has been humbling for me.  They have helped me in many ways.  For example, they helped me pay off some of my bills so that I had no barrier to worry about when it comes to getting this place I’m currently living out.  They helped pay off my last landlord when I was unable too.  They also paid off Duke Energy bill that I had from my last place.  Plus a few other things.  But I think the biggest thing they helped me with that is immeasurable is the ability to get me to save money.  In 2010, I started my IDA account for a car.  I was able to save up $2000 in which they will match me $2000 to use to get a great car which will come in 2011.  So, budgeting was an important for me in 2010.  They actually got me to budget which I tried many times before.  But still have some problems and a long ways to go before I can say I’m successful at it.  But it’s a start.  Having great co-workers is a plus too.  It’s amazing what one can learn from co-workers at the work place.  I’m grateful for Brighton Center and hopefully I will be hired on as an employee there.

Besides for my work life, other part of my life was enhanced in some way.  My personal life has seen me go out more with friends and do more things that I normally don’t know.  Like going to events that are here in the Northern Kentucky area like wine tastings, motorcycle rally, and do more volunteering.  I was able to visit my mom for the first time in a few years.  I also adopted a family for Christmas as I bought presents for a single mom and her two kids.

Even though it seems that 2010 was all good, it wasn’t.  There were times that I had to deal with something or help a friend or two with a problem.  2010 has seen two of my friends going through a divorce.  Going thru a divorce can and is a tough thing to do.  But having a friend that is always there for them can help cushion the blow some.  One of them is my roommate right now.  He knows he has a roof over his head and a friend to talk to anytime he wants to talk.  The other friend has just started the process the last few months of the year but he will know what to do but until then, he knows he has a friend in me.  Another thing that hasn’t went good for me is my health.  My diabetes are still high but that will change soon though.

You see year 2010 wasn’t the worse or the best but it’s by far since my homelessness the best year I have had and it can only get better for me.  What does 2011 have install for me?  Got to come back when I do my “2011 Preview” post in the next few days.

TL

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The New Year is Upon Us…

I know, I know.  We are not only six days into the new year but where have I been for the last few months?  Well, work got hectic, I got sick, then the holidays.  That’s what happen.  Many of you all know I love my volunteer job with AmeriCorps.  Well, things have been very busy for me.  Since I got back from Jacksonville, FL, it’s been non-stop for me at the Brighton Center.  But I love what I’m doing though.  During all the work I have been doing, I get sick with a nasty cold that stuck around way to long.  I think I was sick for like a month before I finally got it out of my system.  After that, the holidays came.  There was basically the month long holiday drive at the Brighton Center.  It is basically three weeks to setup for it and one hectic week of families coming through the Brighton Center.  But the good news is I survived and back online.  Anybody miss me out there?  Happy New Years to everybody out there.  My year in review post will be coming soon.  So, stay tuned…

TL